Perceptions of physical and social environment variables and self-efficacy as correlates of self-reported physical activity among adolescent girls.
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study examined the direct and indirect effects of perceived equipment accessibility, neighborhood safety, and social support on self-reported physical activity among older adolescent girls.


METHODS
Adolescent girls (n = 1,655) who were in the 12th grade completed a battery of questionnaires that included self-report measures of the perceived physical environment, social support, barriers self-efficacy, and physical activity.


RESULTS
Perceived neighborhood safety did not exhibit direct or indirect effects on self-reported physical activity. Perceived equipment accessibility exhibited an indirect effect on self-reported physical activity that was accounted for by barriers self-efficacy. Perceived social support exhibited direct and indirect effects on self-reported physical activity; the indirect effect was accounted for by barriers self-efficacy. The relationships were independent of parental education and body mass index (BMI).


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived physical environmental factors indirectly influenced self-reported physical activity, and perceived social environmental factors both directly and indirectly influenced self-reported physical activity in this sample of older adolescent girls.
Motl
Robert W
RW
Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 332 Freer Hall, 906 S Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801-3895, USA. robmotl@uiuc.edu
Dishman
Rod K
RK
Saunders
Ruth P
RP
Dowda
Marsha
M
Pate
Russell R
RR
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D010465:Perception; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires