A longitudinal assessment of the links between physical activity and physical self-worth in adolescent females

Abstract

A longitudinal framework was used to examine the hypotheses of (1) whether physical activity predicts changes in physical self-worth or (2) whether physical self-worth predicts changes in physical activity in adolescent girls. Participants (n=272) completed measures of physical self-worth and participation in physical activities at three different points spanning a two-year interval. A cross-lagged panel model using structural equation modelling analyses indicated that physical self-worth predicted subsequent physical activity and physical activity in turn predicted subsequent physical self-worth across time. Findings demonstrated a reciprocal relationship between physical self-worth and physical activity during early adolescence. This study supports the use of the reciprocal effects model (REM) in gaining an understanding of the cross-lagged relationships between physical self-worth and participation in physical activities amongst adolescent girls.     

The association between environmental and psychosocial factors towards physical activity and screen time of children: an application of the Integrative Behavioural Model

Physical activity is beneficial at all stages of life, and has been linked as a protective factor from obesity, and other chronic health conditions. Despite the benefits of physical activity, less than half of US children meet the current recommendations, and activity levels decline with age. When planning physical activity interventions, behavioural theories should be utilised, given the inherent benefits theory-based approaches possess. The purpose of this study was to investigate how constructs of the Integrative Theoretical Model (IM) are associated with physical activity and screen time among children (9 years ±1.2; n = 264). Using structural equation modeling, a final model proved to have a good fit (CFI = 0.989; TLI = 0.975; RMSEA = 0.043), and results indicated intentions and perceived behavioural control (PBC) explained 19.4% of the variance for physical activity, and attitudes, perceived norms, and PBC accounted for 62% of the variance of intentions. Furthermore, attitudes and perceived norms were negatively associated with total screen time, and accounted for 10% of the variance. Results suggest that IM is a useful framework for explaining physical activity and screen time among children.     

Mediating effect of aerobic fitness on the association between physical activity and academic achievement among adolescents: A cross-sectional study in Okinawa,Japan

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential role of aerobic fitness (AF) as a mediator of the association between physical activity (PA) and academic achievement (AA) among Japanese junior high school students. A cross-sectional data was collected from 608 7th grade students enrolled at five public junior high schools in two suburban municipalities in Okinawa, Japan. Self-reported PA was assessed using the Patient-Centred Assessment and Counselling for Exercise plus Nutrition questionnaire. The 20-meter shuttle run test was performed to determine AF. AA was evaluated using the overall grade point average. Family structure, parental education level, and achievement motives were the self-reported covariates. The results of the bootstrapped mediation analysis indicated that PA had a direct effect on AF, which in turn influenced the AA among boys. After adjusting for AF, the association between PA and AA disappeared while the association of AF with AA still remained. However, neither PA nor AF was associated with the AA of girls. Therefore, the hypothesis that AF might mediate the relationship between PA and AA was supported for boys. Promoting AF, as a result of engaging to PA could positively influence AA particularly in boys.