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Published on: July 27, 2022
Effect of peers and friends on youth physical activity and motivation to be physically active
Sarah-Jeanne Salvy1, James N Roemmich, Julie C Bowker
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Behavioral Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214-3000, USA. ssalvy@buffalo.edu
Objective:
To test whether the presence of a peer or a friend increases the motivation to be physically active in overweight and non-overweight youth in a laboratory setting.
Methods:
Youth motivation to be physically active as a function of the social context was measured using a computerized relative reinforcing value task to earn points exchangeable for physical and/or sedentary activities.
Results:
The presence of a friend (p<.001) increased youth's; motivation to be physically active. The presence of a peer increased overweight youth's; motivation to be physically active, whereas this was not the case for lean youth (p=.47). Participants biked a greater distance in the presence of a friend than when alone (p<.001). Overweight youth biked a greater distance in the presence of a peer than when alone, while this was not the case for lean youth (p=.23).
Conclusions:
Friendships may increase youth's motivation to engage in physical activity and promote greater physical activity in non-overweight and overweight youth.
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