Physical activity behaviors and perceived life satisfaction among public high school adolescents

J Sch Health. 2004 Feb;74(2):59-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2004.tb04201.x.

Abstract

This study explored relationships between perceived life satisfaction and physical activity behaviors in a statewide sample of adolescents in South Carolina (n = 4,758) using the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the Brief Multidimensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS). Adjusted logistic regression analyses and multivariate models constructed separately revealed significant race by gender results. Not exercising for 20 minutes over the past 7 days (sweating and hard breathing), not performing stretching exercising (past 7 days), not exercising to strengthen or tone muscles (past 7 days), spending < 20 minutes actually exercising or playing sports in PE class, not playing on sport teams run by school, and not playing on sport teams run by outside school organizations were associated (p = .05) with reduced life satisfaction for specific race/gender groups. Results suggest implications for school and community-based physical activity programs. Future research should consider measures of life satisfaction as a component of comprehensive assessments of adolescent physical activity behaviors in fieldwork, research, and program evaluation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attitude to Health
  • Black or African American
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • South Carolina
  • White People