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

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.