 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Tsu-Yin Wu, PhD, Nursing, Eastern Michigan University, 328 Marshall Buidling, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, 7344872297, tywu@umich.edu
Regular physical activity is considered an important component of a health promoting lifestyle. Despite national health authorities recommend promoting physical activity as one of the top priorities for a healthy lifestyle in Taiwan, recent published White Paper showed Taiwanese still lead sedentary lifestyles However, few studies have explored physical activity patterns with longitudinal approach on this population. 969 eighth graders from two selected middle schools participated in this study. The structure equation modeling was used to examine the influences of physical activity-related cognitions and interpersonal influences on physical activity during the grade transition. The results showed that gender appeared to exert direct effect on physical activity in both waves (i.e. female adolescents were less physically active than males both before and after grade transition). The results also indicated that social support had both direct effects on physical activity in Wave 1 as well as indirect effects through perceived self-efficacy and benefits/barriers differential. Both perceived self-efficacy and benefits/barriers differential exert direct effects on physical activity in wave 1. It was also noted that after “wave 1 physical activity “was controlled, the effects of interpersonal influences and cognitions on physical activity in wave 2 was significantly reduced. Only perceived self-efficacy had direct effect on physical activity in wave 2. About 32% and 25% of variances in physical activity for wave 1 and wave 2 respectively were accounted for by the hypothesised model. These findings will be discussed in details in term of the implications to parents and policy making.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.