Examining The Relationship Between Measured Physical Fitness, Perceived Fitness and Screen Time in Florida Middle School Students

Purpose - Obesity in Florida children has more than doubled over the past thirty years, despite physical education requirements through middle and junior high school. This study is designed to examine the relationship between measured physical fitness, perceived fitness and screen time in middle school students attending a developmental research school at a Historically Black College/University.  Methods - Students in grades 6-8 completed a modified Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) (N=48) and an activity and fitness assessment (N=46). The YRBS measured the following health behavior indicators: unintentional injury and violence, sexual behaviors, alcohol and drug use, tobacco use, dietary behaviors and physical activity. The fitness assessment measured aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition. Results - Fifty percent of all students reported watching 3-5 hours of television daily and 68% of males reported playing video/computer games for 3-5 hours daily. Most males and females reported being about the right weight, 69% and 60%, respectively, while 22% of females reported being slightly and very overweight, combined compared to 18% of males. Female students performed best in flexibility and muscular endurance, but male students met all fitness assessment physical activity standards. Conclusion – The differences in perceived fitness and measured fitness highlights the need for a comprehensive program for female middle school students addressing physical activity and body image perception.