Naslov
Exercise motives in adolescent girls and boys of different BMI

Autori
Anić, Petra ; Pokrajac-Bulian, Alessandra ; Mohorić, Tamara ; Kukić, Miljana ; Dragaš-Zubalj, Nataša

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Programme Book ECO2021 / EASO - , 2021, 5-5

Skup
28th European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2021)

Mjesto i datum
Online, 10.05.2021. - 13.05.2021

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Body mass index, exercise motives, exercise frequency

Sažetak
Introduction: Exercise in adolescents with obesity target weight loss as a mean for improving health, including increases in lean tissue mass and/or decreases in fat mass. From the perspective of self-determination theory, motives for exercise can be extrinsic (e.g., weight control) or intrinsic (e.g., enjoyment, strength). Reasons for engagement in exercise, rather than frequency or amount of exercise, determine the effects of exercise on body image, health, and overall well-being (1). Both extrinsic and intrinsic motives are associated with different outcomes (2). The main aim of our study was to explore the routine of exercise, motives for engaging in it, and its relationship with BMI in healthy adolescents. Method: 627 adolescents (310 girls and 317 boys ; mean age: 15.00) participated in this study. Data about weight, height, daily activities, and physical exercise were gathered. Participants engaged in structured sport activities rated different motives for training (weight management, strength and endurance, enjoyment, affiliation and appearance). Results: BMI was calculated and expressed as a percentile (2.6% were underweight, 71.9% normal weight, 11.5% overweight and 10.4% obese). Only 58.4% of participants exercise regularly, and they have lower BMI than those who don’t exercise. The most important motive for exercise was strength, followed by enjoyment and appearance, while affiliation and weight management were the least important ones. In general, girls exercise less compared to boys, and they want to manage their weight, while boys want to improve strength and endurance. Adolescents with overweight and obesity were motivated by managing weight and are trying to improve their strength and endurance. However, they enjoy workout less than other participants. Conclusion: Nearly 25% of our sample can be categorized as adolescents with overweight or obesity, and still, less than 60% of participants’ exercise. Motives for exercise are important since they play central role in the persistence and future commitment to exercise (3). Since adolescents in our sample have a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motives, it is important to support development of intrinsic motives to ensure that they will continue to exercise in the future. In this way, we could try to prevent health problems related to weight and sedentary lifestyle. (1) Homan, KJ, & Tylka, TL (2014). Appearance-based exercise motivation moderates the relationship between exercise frequency and positive body image. Body Image, 11(2), 101–108. (2) DiBartolo, P, Lin, L, Montoya, S, Neal, H, & Shaffer, C (2007). Are there “healthy” and “unhealthy” reasons for exercise? Examining individual differences in exercise motivations using the Function of Exercise Scale. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 1, 93–120. (3) Gillison, F, Sebire, S, & Standage, M (2012). 'What motivates girls to take up exercise during adolescence? Learning from those who succeed', British Journal of Health Psychology, 17(3), 536–550.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Psihologija

Napomena
Research relating to this abstract was fully
supported by the University of Rijeka project
(uniri-drustv-18-63)

POVEZANOST RADA