title: A research note on body mass, physical aggression, and the competitiveness of Asian-Pacific Islander adolescents in Guam.
abstract: This study uses the evolutionary model to guide an exploration of the effects of body mass on aggressive and competitive behaviors among Asian-Pacific adolescents in Guam. Using a probability sample of Guam's high-school students, the results of logistic regressions suggest that adolescent females with greater body mass are more likely to engage in physical fights (aggression) and to participate in team sports (competitiveness). Ethnic differences indicate the possibility that individuals with lower body mass may be less likely to participate in physically aggressive acts and team sports. Alternate theoretical explanations for the results are also considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720-4091, USA. pinhey@hawaii.edu
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Pinhey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000941:ethics*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D006141:Guam / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D011336:Probability; D012309:Risk-Taking