Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown that choice and self-initiated behavior change are important for increasing intrinsic motivation and physical activity (PA), however, little of this research has focused on underserved adolescents.Purpose: This study examined the effects of a 4-week student-centered intervention on increasing PA in underserved adolescents.Methods: Twenty-eight students in the intervention school were matched (on race, percentage on free or reduced-price lunch program, gender, and age) with 20 students from another school who served as the comparison group (30 girls, 18 boys; ages 10–12 years; 83% African American; 83% on free or reduced-price lunch). The student-centered intervention was consistent with self-determination (motivation) theory and social cognitive theory in that it emphasized increasing intrinsic motivation and behavioral skills for PA. Intervention adolescents took ownership in selecting a variety of PA activities in which to participate, and they generated coping strategies for making effective PA behavior changes.Results: Intervention participants showed greater increases in accelerometer estimates of time spent in moderate PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, and vigorous PA from baseline to Week 4 of the intervention than the comparison group. Intervention participants also showed greater increases in PA motivation and positive self-concept for PA than comparison adolescents.Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that increasing adolescent involvement and choice of activities may be important in developing future PA interventions for underserved adolescents.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Taylor WC, Sallis JF: Determinants of physical activity in children. In Simopoulos AP, Pavlou KN (eds),Nutrition and Fitness: Metabolic and Behavioral Aspects in Health and Disease. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1997, 159–167.
Sallis JF, Zakarian JM, Hovell MF, Hofstetter CR: Ethnic, socioeconomic, and sex differences in physical activity among adolescents.Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 1996,49:125–134.
Gortmaker SL, Peterson K, Wiecha J, et al.: Reducing obesity via a school-based interdisciplinary intervention among youth.Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 1999,153:409–418.
Kelder SH, Perry CL, Klepp KI: Community wide youth exercise promotion: Long-term outcomes of the Minnesota Heart Health Program and the Class of 1989 Study.Journal of School Health. 1993,63:218–223.
Baranowski T, Anderson C, Carmack C: Mediating variable framework in physical activity interventions: How are we doing? How might we do better?American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 1998,15:266–297.
Bandura A:Social Foundations of Thought and Action. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1986.
Ryan DM, Deci EL: Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.American Psychologist. 2000,55:68–78.
Ferrer-Caja E, Weiss MR: Predictors of intrinsic motivation among adolescent students in physical education.Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 2000,71:267–279.
Thompson CE, Wankel LM: The effect of perceived activity choice upon frequency of exercise behavior.Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 1980,10:436–443.
Wilson DK, Williams J, Evans AE, et al.: Gender differences in preferences and motivational factors in underserved adolescents.Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2005,30:1–5.
Eitel P, Friend R: Reducing denial of STD and HIV risk in college students: A comparison of a cognitive and motivational approach.Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 1999,21:12–19.
Wilson DK, Friend R, Teasley N, et al.: Motivational versus social cognitive interventions for promoting fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity in African American adolescents.Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 2002,24:310–319.
Lewin K: Group decision and social change. In Maccoby EE, Newcomb TM, Hartley EL (eds),Readings in Social Psychology. New York: Holt, 1958.
Schlenker BR, Dlugolecki DW, Doherty K: The impact of self-presentations on self-appraisals and behavior: The power of public commitment.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1994,66:20–33.
Festinger L:A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Evanston, IL: Row, Peterson, 1957.
Brehm JW, Cohen AR:Explorations in Cognitive Dissonance. New York: Wiley, 1962.
Bem DJ: Self-perception theory. In Berkowitz L (ed),Advances in Experimental SocialPsychology. NewYork:Academic, 1972.
Rhodewalt F: Self-presentation and the phenomenal self: The “carryover effect” revisited. In Cooper J, Darley JM (eds),Attributional Processes, Person Perception, and Social Interaction: The Legacy of Edward E. Jones. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1998, 373–421.
Stone E, McKenzie TL, Welk GJ, Booth ML: Effects of physical activity interventions in youth: Review and synthesis.American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 1998,15:298–315.
Sallis JF, Patrick K: Physical activity guidelines for adolescents: Consensus statement.Pediatric Exercise Science. 1994,6:302–314.
Freedson PS, Sirard J, Debold E, et al.: Calibration of the Computer Science and Applications Inc. (CSA) accelerometer.Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 1997, 29(Suppl.):S45.
Trost SG, Ward DS, Moorehead PD, et al.: Validity of the Computer Science and Applications (CSA) activity monitor in children.Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 1998,30:629–633.
Freedson PS, Melanson E, Sirard J: Calibration of Computer Science and Applications, Inc. accelerometer.Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 1998,30:777–781.
Sallis JF, Pinski RB, Grossman RM, Patterson TL, Nader PR: The development of self-efficacy scales for health-related diet and exercise behaviors.Health Education Research. 1988,3:283–292.
Kendzierski D, DeCarlo KJ: Physical activity enjoyment scale: Two validation studies.Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 1991,13:50–64.
Pate RR, Freedson PS, Sallis JF, et al.: Compliance with physical activity guidelines: Prevalence in a population of children and youth.Annals of Epidemiology. 2002,12:303–308.
Stone EJ, Osganian SK, McKinlay SM, et al.: Operational design and quality control in the CATCH Multicenter Trial.Preventive Medicine. 1996,25:384–399.
Edmundson E, Parcel GS, Feldman HA, et al.: The effects of the child and adolescent trial for cardiovascular health upon psychosocial determinants of diet and physical activity behavior.Preventive Medicine. 1996,25:442–454.
Luepker RV, Perry CL, McKinlay SM, et al.: Outcomes of a field trial to improve children’s dietary patterns and physical activity: Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH).Journal of American Medical Association. 1996,257:768–776.
Trost SG, Pate RR, Ward DS, et al.: Determinants of physical activity in active and low-active, sixth grade African-American youth.Journal of School Health. 1999,69:29–34.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This project was funded by a Research and Productive Scholarship Grant to Dawn Wilson from the University of South Carolina and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cooperative agreement U48/CCU409664-06. We acknowledge Cherie Minette for her assistance with conducting this project.
About this article
Cite this article
Wilson, D.K., Evans, A.E., Williams, J. et al. A preliminary test of a student-centered intervention on increasing physical activity in underserved adolescents. ann. behav. med. 30, 119–124 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3002_4
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3002_4