title: Psychosocial correlates of physical activity in school children aged 8-10 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding correlates of physical activity (PA) among children in different populations may contribute to fostering active lifestyles. This study considered gender differences in relationships between biologic (body mass index, BMI), demographic (socioeconomic sport status, SES) and psychosocial correlates of PA and level of PA in Portuguese primary school children.
  
  
  METHODS
  683 children, aged 8-10 years, from 20 different elementary schools in northern Portugal were surveyed. Weight status was classified using International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria for the BMI. Family SES was estimated from school records. PA level and psychosocial correlates (attraction to PA, perceived physical competence and parental socialization) were obtained with interview and standardized questionnaires, respectively. Sex-specific hierarchical multiple regression analyses (SPSS 18.0) were conducted and included two blocks of predictor variables (biologic and demographic, and psychosocial).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Level of PA was significantly higher in boys than girls. Enjoyment of participation in vigorous PA was positively associated with level of PA. Perceived acceptance by peers in games and sports and parental encouragement were positively and significantly related to PA in girls. Perceived physical competence was positively and significantly related to PA in boys. Weight status and SES were not associated with PA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Boys and girls differed in perceived attractiveness of PA and perceived physical competence, both of which influenced level of PA. Differences in perceptions may be important aspects of motivation for PA in school children.
authors.affiliation: 1 Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.forename: André F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.forename: Denisa M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brustad
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: António M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Malina
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D016487:Parenting; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011584:Psychology; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires