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physical activity (moderate and vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior), BMI, pubertal stage of development, social support from peers and family, health beliefs regarding the consequences of physical activity, self-efficacy for physical activity, and intention to be physically active. Puberty was significantly associated with lower intentions and self-efficacy for physical activity, which is of particular interest in this population given that African American girls tend to reach puberty at a younger age than Caucasian girls. In addition, younger girls received greater social support for physical activity from both family and peers. Higher levels of physical activity behavior were associated with lower rates of sedentary behavior, lower BMI, and higher self-efficacy for exercise. Multiple regression analyses also revealed social support and health beliefs to positively predict, and pubertal stage to negatively predict, physical activity intentions. This study expands research on determinants of physical activity to a rarely studied, at-risk population, and suggests areas for future research to facilitate physical activity in this population. Lown, D. A., & Braunschweig, C. L. (2008). Determinants of physical activity in low-income, overweight African American girls. American Journal of Health Behavior, 32, 253259.
Journal Web site: www.ajhb.org Author Web site: www.ahs.uic.edu/ahs/php/content.php?sitename = mvsc&type = 7&id = 308