Date of Award
5-2012
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Child and Family Studies
Advisor(s)
Ambika Krishnakumar
Second Advisor
Lutchmie Narine
Keywords
Adolescents, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Structural Equation Modeling
Subject Categories
Family, Life Course, and Society
Abstract
This dissertation tested conceptual frameworks for models of physical activity and sedentary behavior based upon social cognitive theory and ecological models. The sample consisted of 527 7th and 8th graders from 3 rural schools in upstate New York. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that there were direct influences of environmental support, intrapersonal factors, parental modeling for physical activity, and physical health to levels of adolescent physical activity. Sedentary behavior was influenced by parental modeling for sedentary behavior and parental encouragement for sedentary behavior. In addition, using a mediating conceptual framework, intrapersonal factors mediated the relationships of environmental support, encouragement, mental health, and physical health to levels of physical activity. Studying physical activity and sedentary behavior should continue to use guided, theory-based approaches with sound statistical designs. This research supported the conceptualization that physical activity and sedentary behavior are not opposite ends of a spectrum, but are distinct behaviors with different factors of influence.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Canfield, Jodi, "Models of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior" (2012). Child and Family Studies - Dissertations. 63.
https://surface.syr.edu/cfs_etd/63
