title: Gender comparisons of perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity in middle school youth.
abstract: Perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity (PA) reported by 206 middle school boys and girls in a survey were compared. Only "take care of myself, stay in shape, and be healthier" emerged as a greater benefit for girls than boys. Among students not on a sports team, boys reported fewer barriers than girls. Among those selecting an active pursuit, boys perceived more barriers than girls. When controlling for sports team participation and perceived benefits and barriers, boys reported more minutes of vigorous PA than girls. As boys and girls reported relatively similar benefits of and barriers to PA, nurse counseling with both groups can focus on the same information. Effort is particularly needed to increase PA among girls.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University College of Nursing, 422A West Fee Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Lorraine B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Alla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sikorskii
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: Tsu-Yin
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: JoEllen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilbur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012573:School Nursing; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires