PREDICTORS OF CHANGE IN ADOLESCENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

A 4 year, prospective study was undertaken to identify predictors of change in physical activity during adolescence. The sample consisted of 238 teens, including 161 Mexican-American and 62 non-Hispanic White teens, 135 girls and 103 boys. Each year, study participants completed a physical activity questionnaire and responded to items concerning the following predictor variables: self-efficacy, perceived barriers, personal incentives and social support for activity, adequacy, enjoyment, and predilection for physical activity. Changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and in predictor variables were represented by residualized change scores. Multiple regression analysis using the residualized changes in predictor variables revealed that only the perception that a boyfriend or girlfriend kept participants from being active was significantly associated with change in MVPA, accounting for 2.1% of the variance. Regression using baseline values of the predictor variables revealed that parental & peer support for, adequacy in, and predilection for activity were significantly associated with change in MVPA, accounting for 20.5% of the variance. These results suggest possible strategies for resisting the decline in physical activity during adolescence.