Physical Activity Levels, Body Satisfaction, Ideal Female Figure, and Overweight Status of Minority High School Students

The CDC recently reported approximately 60 million adults, or 30% of the adult population, is now obese. Additionally, the prevalence of overweight among adolescents has nearly tripled in the past two decades. NHANES IV data indicate 30.4% of adolescents ages 12-19 years are overweight with higher rates reported for African Americans (AA) and Hispanics (H). Obesity increases the risk of serious chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. This study examined various factors that contribute to the weight status of minority high school students. To examine the underlying causes of overweight and obese status in teenagers a battery of constructs including physical activity (PA), body composition, and psychosocial measures were used. Students from five urban high schools in a major southeast city participated, N= 371 (163 males, 208 females), 14-18 years (M=15.9; SD=.97). BMI was calculated using height and weight measurements taken with a standard Lohman protocol, PA was determined using the NASA-Johnson Physical Activity Rating Scale, and Body Satisfaction, Body Dissatisfaction, and Ideal Female Figure preference was determined using the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale. There was no ethnic difference in PA, but there was a gender difference. Females were significantly F(1,320)=32.893, p<.001 less physically active than males. Over 40% of the students were dissatisfied with their body size. A significant correlation exists between a person's BMI and body satisfaction (r=-.689, p<.001). One hundred sixty two students (43.7%) were overweight or obese. Of those students, 18.1% were satisfied with their current body size and a significant relation &Chi²(2, N=369)= 41.53, p=.001 exists between the two variables. A logistic regression (R²=.206) using PA and gender as determinants for at risk for overweight and overweight indicated that PA (ß=-.440, p<.001) and gender (ß=.756, p=.005) are significant determinants. Females are 2.13 times more likely to become overweight than males and increasing PA decreases the chance of becoming overweight by 36%. Irregardless of ethnicity, females significantly (r=.289, p<.001) viewed the ideal female figure to be smaller than males would prefer. The high BMI's and the low levels of PA in this group are a concern and indicate a trend that is on the rise with this population. The added psychosocial aspect of being satisfied with their body size implies that a multifaceted approach is needed to adequately deal with this complicated issue.
Keyword(s): physical activity, research