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.