CORRELATES OF PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY BEHAVIOR IN RURAL YOUTH

The purpose of this study was to identify correlates of physical activ ity behavior in a sample of rural, predominantly African American yout h. Three hundred sixty-one fifth-grade students from two rural countie s in South Carolina (69% African American, median age = II years) comp leted a questionnaire designed to measure beliefs and social influence s regarding physical activity, physical activity self-efficacy, percei ved physical activity habits of family members and friends, and access to exercise and fitness equipment at home. After school physical acti vity and television watching were assessed using the Previous Day Phys ical Activity Recall (PDPAR). Students were classified as physically a ctive according to a moderate physical activity standard: two or more 30-min blocks at an intensity of 3 METs (metabolic equivalents) or gre ater, and a vigorous physical activity standard: one or more 30-min bl ocks at an intensity of 6 METs or greater According to the moderate ph ysical activity standard, 34.9% of students were classified as low-act ive. Multivariate analysis revealed age, gender television watching, a nd exercise equipment at home to be significant correlates of low acti vity status. According to the vigorous physical activity standard, 32. 1 % of the students were classified as low-active. Multivariate analys is revealed age, gender television watching, and self-efficacy with re spect to seeking support for physical activity to be significant corre lates of low activity status. In summary, gender and the amount of tel evision watching were found to be the most important correlates of phy sical activity in rural, predominantly African American youth.