Correlates of physical activity in low income college students

Res Nurs Health. 2009 Dec;32(6):634-46. doi: 10.1002/nur.20353.

Abstract

The importance of physical activity as a health promoting behavior has been well documented. We examined the relationship of social support, self-efficacy, and commitment to a plan of physical activity on physical activity behaviors in a sample of low income college students. Those with higher levels of social support, self-efficacy, and commitment to a plan of physical activity reported more physical activity behaviors. Commitment to a plan of physical activity mediated the relationships of social support and physical activity behavior, and of self-efficacy and physical activity behavior. The results support the importance of exploring the psychosocial correlates of physical activity in explaining the decision process that underlies physical activity behavior.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Activity*
  • Peer Group
  • Poverty / statistics & numerical data*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Self Efficacy
  • Social Class
  • Social Support
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult