Scheduled for Free Communication: Physical Activity Across Racial, Ethnic, and National Groups, Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM, Tampa Convention Center: 7-8


Comparisons of Grade Point Average, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, and Well Being Across Ethnicity

Hyun-Kyoung Oh1, Stephen Kinzey1, Hosung So1, Shannon Siegel1, Dong-Hwa Chung1, Sook-Young Hwang1, Soojin Yoo2 and Cheon-Taik Son3, (1)California State UniversitySan Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA, (2)University of NevadaLas Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, (3)University of Incheon, Nam-gu, Incheon, South Korea

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences on GPA, body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and well-being across race/ethnicity.

Methods

A total of 213 (84 White non-Hispanic, 20 Black non-Hispanic, 98 Hispanic, and 11 Asian college students) randomly selected from general physical education classes from a comprehensive university located in Southern California participated in this study. A package of questionnaires was distributed to each participant. Participants completed five questionnaires, including demographic questions, the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ; Godin & Shephard, 1985), the 7-item Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS-7, Scott, Burke, Joyner, & Brand, 2004), 8 items for global esteem from the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ; Marsh, Richards, Johnson, Roche, & Tremayne, 1994), and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI; Heubeck & Neil, 2000; 10 items each for psychological distress and psychological well-being.

Analysis/Results

ANOVAs were conducted to examine any difference on GPA, BMI, PA, and psychological well-being (psychological distress, psychological well-being, and social physique anxiety) among four different ethnic groups. There were statistically significant group differences found on GPA [F(3,209) = 7.37, p < .001] and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) [F(2,207) = 3.03, p < .05]. White non-Hispanic group showed higher GPA (M = 3.12, SD = .46) than Black non-Hispanic (M = 2.76, SD = .42), Hispanic (M = 2.88, SD = .35), and Asian (M = 2.97, SD = .38) groups. The MVPA levels measured by GLTEQ showed similar results. White non-Hispanic group showed more METS scores (M = 58.57, SE = 2.52) than Black non-Hispanic (M = 53.81, SE = 4.34), Hispanic (M = 56.09, SE = 1.98), and Asian (M = 40.15, SE = 5.11) groups. However, there was no statistically significant correlation found between GPA and the MVPA scores (r = .06, p > .05). No significant differences among the groups were reported; however, the means of BMI for each group showed the prevalence of overweight and obesity. White non-Hispanic group showed higher BMI score (M=25.26, SE=.57) than Black non-Hispanic (M = 27.15, SE = .98), Hispanic (M=26.28, SE=.53), and Asian (M=22.74, SE=1.27) groups.

Conclusions

Due to a small sample size by gender, gender difference between and within ethnic groups was not examined in this study. As previous research suggested, however, a race effect for women should be considered that may result in substantial differences in the study of ethnic comparisons on BMI, physical activity, and mental health.


Keyword(s): health education college/univ, multiculturalism/cultural diversity, obesity issues

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