Black, Hispanic, and white girls' perceptions of environmental and social support and enjoyment of physical activity.
BACKGROUND
This study examines the differences among black, Hispanic, and white adolescent girls in their perceptions surrounding physical activity (PA), including support within the school climate, friend and family social support, and personal enjoyment.


METHODS
Participants included 1466 sixth-grade girls from 36 middle schools across the United States. Participants were 20% black, 21% Hispanic, 47% white, and 12% of other or mixed races. Multivariate analyses were performed on each scale, adjusting for body mass index and free and reduced-price lunch status.


RESULTS
Results showed racial differences on several variables. Black girls, compared with white girls, perceived significantly lower PA enjoyment (p<.001) and teacher support for PA (p=.004). Hispanic girls experienced less PA enjoyment (p=.003) and perceived less support for PA from boys (p=.001) and their families (p=.008) than white girls. Black girls reported significantly higher levels of physical education (PE) enjoyment than did white girls (p=.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in perceived PA support and enjoyment across race raise questions about why these differences exist and how best to address disparities within interventions.
Grieser
Mira
M
Department of Kinesiology, Health and Human Performance Building, University of Maryland-College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA. mgrieser@umd.edu
Neumark-Sztainer
Dianne
D
Saksvig
Brit I
BI
Lee
Jung-Sun
JS
Felton
Gwen M
GM
Kubik
Martha Y
MY
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D012944:Social Support; D013177:Sports; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*