title: Physical activity behavior and related characteristics of highly active eighth-grade girls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although girls are generally less physically active than boys, some girls regularly engage in high levels of physical activity (PA); however, very little is known about these girls and how they differ from those who are less physically active. This study examined the PA behavior and related characteristics of highly active adolescent girls and compared them with those who are less active.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 1,866 eighth-grade girls from six field centers across the United States participating in the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) were included in the present analysis. Mixed-model analysis of variance examined differences in sociodemographic, anthropometric, psychosocial, and physical activity (accelerometry and self-report) variables between high- and low-active girls; effect sizes were calculated for the differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-active girls were taller, had lower body mass indices and body fat, and were less sedentary. High-active girls scored higher on self-efficacy, enjoyment of PA, self-management strategies, outcome-expectancy value, and support from family and friends than low-active girls. Low-active girls participated in more leisure time and educational sedentary activities than high-active girls. High-active girls participated in more PA classes/lessons outside of school, team sports, and individual sports. They were also more likely to participate in sports in an organized setting in the community or at school than low-active girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health promotion efforts should focus on decreasing the amount of time girls spend in sedentary activities and replacing that time with organized PA opportunities; such efforts should seek to minimize perceived barriers and increase self-efficacy and support for PA.
authors: Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. sross@mailbox.sc.edu
authors: Sharon E
authors: SE
authors: Taverno Ross
authors: Marsha
authors: M
authors: Dowda
authors: Michael W
authors: MW
authors: Beets
authors: Russell R
authors: RR
authors: Pate
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States
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