History of sport participation in relation to obesity and related health behaviors in women.
BACKGROUND
Organized sport participation in youth is a common form of physical activity; yet, little is known about how it is associated with adult obesity and related health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a history of youth sport participation was related to adult obesity, physical activity, and dietary intake among women.


METHODS
Participating women (209 African American, 277 Caucasian; ages 18-39), recruited from the community, completed laboratory measures, a paper and pencil survey assessing past sport participation and current physical activity level, and dietary records.


RESULTS
Linear regression revealed that a history of sport participation predicted lower adult body mass index and higher total and sport activity levels for both ethnic groups and higher work-related physical activity among Caucasians (all P < 0.001). Past sports participation did not predict dietary intake.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that girls' participation in sports may lay the foundation for adult health and health behaviors and that sports participation could be an important component of obesity prevention programs.
Alfano
Catherine M
CM
Center for Community Health, Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Tennessee 38119, USA.
Klesges
Robert C
RC
Murray
David M
DM
Beech
Bettina M
BM
McClanahan
Barbara S
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health