title: Socioeconomic status, race, and body mass index: the mediating role of physical activity and sedentary behaviors during adolescence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess how sociodemographic and activity behaviors contribute to adolescent body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirteen adolescents (M = 17 years; 42% Caucasian, 56% African American) were assessed on BMI. Teens reported activity levels and caregivers reported socioeconomic status (SES).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adolescents from lower SES backgrounds, and from minority groups, had higher BMI (r = -.26, p < .01 and t(110) = -3.01, p < .01). Formal statistical mediation tests revealed that sedentary behaviors significantly mediated the association between SES and BMI (Z = 2.31, p < .05), whereas physical activity significantly mediated the race-BMI association (Z = 2.32, p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions targeting teen BMI could benefit by aiming to decrease sedentary behavior in low SES teens and increase physical activity in teens from minority groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. hansonm@psych.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Margaret D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011187:Posture; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors