Factors Influencing Expectations of Physical Activity for Adolescents Residing in Appalachia.

BackgroundAppalachian adolescents are at an increased risk for sedentary behavior; little research has addressed this concern.PurposeThis study examined adolescents' expectations for engaging in physical activity (PA), chiefly expectations for relaxation and fitness. Independent variables were self-efficacy expectations (SEEs) to overcome barriers to PA, body mass index (BMI), gender, and grade level.MethodsOne thousand and twenty-four 9th (n = 602) and 12th (n = 422) graders, 520 females and 504 males, attending 11 high schools in a rural Appalachian region participated. Participant SEE, BMI, grade level, gender, and outcome expectations (OEs) for PA were determined via a self-report questionnaire.ResultsResults of a multivariate analysis of variance indicated that gender, grade level, and SEE significantly impacted OE for PA. BMI was not related to PA expectations. The interaction of self-efficacy and gender as well as self-efficacy and grade level were significant.DiscussionPositive health messages sup...