title: Using social cognitive theory to predict physical activity and fitness in underserved middle school children.
abstract: Few researchers have used social cognitive theory and environment-based constructs to predict physical activity (PA) and fitness in underserved middle-school children. Hence, we evaluated social cognitive variables and perceptions of the school environment to predict PA and fitness in middle school children (N = 506, ages 10-14 years). Using multiple regression analyses we accounted for 12% of the variance in PA and 13-21% of the variance in fitness. The best predictors of PA were barrier self-efficacy, classmate social support, and gender; whereas, only gender predicted fitness. The results affirmed the importance of barrier self-efficacy and gender differences. Our findings regarding classmate social support are some of the first to illuminate the importance of school-specific peers in promoting PA.
authors.affiliation: Division of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Nate
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McCaughtry
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flory
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Kimberlydawn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wisdom
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010379:Peer Group; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States