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Physical activity and self-efficacy in normal and over-fat children
Darijan Suton1, Karin A Pfeiffer, Deborah L Feltz
1Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. sutondar@msu.edu
American Journal of Health Behavior
|August 30, 2013
Summary
Physical activity self-efficacy, not body fatness, significantly impacts physical activity levels in fifth graders. Children with high self-efficacy were more active, highlighting the importance of confidence in promoting exercise.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Behavioral Science
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Physical activity is crucial for child development and health.
- Understanding factors influencing physical activity, like self-efficacy and body fatness, is essential for targeted interventions.
- Previous research has yielded mixed results on the relationship between body composition and physical activity in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the individual and combined associations of self-efficacy and body fatness with physical activity levels in fifth-grade children.
- To determine if body fatness influences physical activity independently or in conjunction with self-efficacy.
- To identify key psychological and physiological predictors of physical activity in preadolescent children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 281 fifth-grade students (mean age 10.4 years) participated in the study.
- Physical activity was measured via self-report, while self-efficacy for physical activity was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale.
- Body fatness was objectively measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, with statistical analyses including ANOVA and t-tests.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in reported physical activity days were observed between genders or between normal-fat and over-fat children.
- Children demonstrating high self-efficacy for physical activity reported significantly more days of physical activity compared to those with low self-efficacy (5.4 vs. 3.4 days, p < .001).
Conclusions:
- Physical activity self-efficacy emerged as a significant predictor of physical activity in fifth-grade children.
- Body fatness was not found to be significantly associated with physical activity levels in this cohort.
- Interventions aimed at increasing physical activity should focus on enhancing children's confidence in their ability to be active.
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