Research has found that physical inactivity contributes to overweight and/or obese status (Trost, Kerr, Ward, & Pate, 2001). According to Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 2001), perceptions about physical activity influence physical activity behavior. Given that racial/ethnic differences have been reported in childhood obesity (Ogden et al., 2006), an important undertaking is to examine if differences in perceptions about physical activity also exist. Such study could illuminate intervention efforts. Therefore, as a starting point toward this end the purpose of this study was to examine secondary school students' perceptions about physical activity and determine if significant differences existed between Caucasian and Hispanic students. To assess perception about physical activity, select items from the Children's Attitude Toward Physical Activity (CATPA, Schutz, Smoll, & Wood, 1981); r = .80) were used. Items were modified to fit a 5 point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Selected items included (a) physical activity gives me a chance to meet new people; (b) physical activity gives me a chance to be with friends; (c) physical activity makes my health better; (d) physical activity reduces stress; (e) physical activity requires a lot of time; (f) I do not enjoy physical activity; (g) physical activity is dangerous because I move very fast and must change direction quickly. A university institutional review board reviewed and approved the study. One large rural school district gave permission to include the items on a district wide survey. The school districts' survey was randomly disseminated to students in eighth through twelfth grades. For the purposes of this study, a random sample of 184 secondary school students (92 Hispanic and 96 Caucasian) was obtained. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to evaluate differences between Hispanic and Caucasian students'perceptions about physical activity. Results showed significant differences in the following items: physical activity makes my health better (F(1,183) = 7.349, p=.007); physical activity requires a lot of time (F(1,183) = 18.201, p=.000); I do not enjoy physical activity (F(1,183) = 8.638, p=.004). These differences in perception underscore the need for culturally based education and intervention efforts.Keyword(s): exercise/fitness/physical activity, measurement/evaluation, standards and ethics