The increasing rate of obesity in Americans has been well documented, but less is known about the unique patterns and risks that may exist in rural, urban, and suburban environments. A better understanding of possible rural-urban differences in physical activity profiles may facilitate the development of more targeted physical activity involvements (Hariharan 2010; Parks and Brownson 2002). Consistent physical activity has been shown to be beneficial to an individual’s health. Studies have shown that a lower percentage of rural compared to urban/suburban adults participate in physical activity through fitness programs. Maintaining the required amounts of physical activity among individuals with limited access to community and health care facilities and other environmental obstacles is crucial to physical health (Nicklay and Hensley 2008).
The research study is attempting to find if being from a big city, suburb, or rural small town along with high school size affects if a college student is a participant, spectator, or not interested in sports (recreational, competitive, & fitness). This study is important because it will display if there is a correlation between environment and level of physical activity/health. The study fits in with what is known about previous related research by being based on physical activity which studies have been conducted that revealed that young children and older adults in rural small towns are less physically active than those in big cities. My research will be important because it will reveal if the same results hold true for college students. Routine fitness exercise and physical activity have been shown to alleviate the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases as well a...
... middle of paper ...
...e coded as dummy variable, 0=male; female=1. 2.) Race which will also be coded as four dummy variables, 0=White; 1=Black; 2=Hispanic; 3=Asian.
Extraneous Variables
The perceived benefits of exercise that respondents feel fitness exercise and sports provide which include improvement in physical appearance and long-term health benefits, while perceived barriers might include finding the resources and required equipment to maintain an exercise program or dedication to a competitive sports team (Parks and Brownson 2002). 1.) Do you care about improving your physical appearance? (yes, no, no opinion). 2) Do you think exercising and sports improve long-term health benefits? (yes, no, no opinion). 3.) Do you have time to go workout or play sports? (yes, no). 4.) Do you have the resources in order to participate in fitness/exercising program or play a sport? (yes, no).
Obesity is more prevalent among African American women in the lower socioeconomic status. Characteristics of being subject to lower economic status included poorer education, income levels, less likely to have private insurance with no real source of regular medical care (Rajaram, 1998). Therefore low-income African American women are less educated on proper diet and exercise. The U.S. Department of Agr...
Routine physical activity may be difficult for those with low income to achieve. Firstly, people who have low income generally must work longer and laborious hours than people in the high and middle income rankings in order to have enough money to get by. Low-class Americans simply do not have the time or energy to exercise their bodies. Also, an individual’s economic status can be the cause for several obstacles of achieving physical fitness. For instance, the lack of transportation to and from the gym could be a major problem, as well as being able to pay gym membership fees or gym equipment. It is further explained, “A lack of good transportation choices is the most important single issue that limits routine activities such as walking, biking, and transit use by low income people.” (Squibb 2) Poor economy is only one of the ways low-income individuals are limited to physical fitness.
Students who participate in sports remain physically active. Student athletes have practice and must keep “in shape” to compete against other high school teams. Researchers have said the younger population has grown obese. Students who remain in high school sports have a lower risk of becoming obese. Obesity is growing rapidly in the nation and having kids participate in sports will help the nation’s obesity rate decrease. The reason students stay healthy is because the practice may involve running, weight training, and flexibility to help stay in “shape”. Students involved in sports are also encouraged to eat better to ensure the best body to perform at top level. Athletes have a desire to win and be the best. This forces an athlete to live a healthier
In a recent study, 403 participants were first asked to answer a short questionnaire regarding their gender, age, and physical exercise habits. They then completed a questionnaire regarding perceived characteristics of a sport. In this latter questionnaire, the respondent was asked to rate to what degree the descriptor is characteristic of the sport or those practicing the sport using a seven-point scale from 1 (“Not at all characteristic of the sport/sport participant”) to 7 (“Very much characteristic of the sport/sport participant”). For each participant, the sport to be rated was randomly selected out of 41 different sports, 19 of which had been previously labeled gender-neutral, 7 of which ha...
The invasion of technology has long been assumed to contribute to the large number of Americans who are considered overweight and do not get an adequate amount of daily physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of Americans who can be classified as obese. More than one-third of adults in the United States and approximately 17% of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are considered obese ("Obesity and Overweight," 2012). However, the number of unhealthy Americans is not the only thing rising.
Females have slightly less variability, but the interquartile ranges of both genders are identical. On a scale of 5 to 25 that has a neutral influence score of 15, the means fall just above a level of slight influence. An independent t-test was conducted to determine if the mean difference between the two genders was statistically significant. Because the p-value of the Levene’s Test was .315, it is appropriate to assume equal variances. The p-value of .068 does not fall below .05 and thus the null hypothesis cannot be rejected. The influence of professional athletes on the health and wellness choices of University of Michigan undergraduates does not differ between males and
... for the authors’ claim that people are more likely to stick to playing sports than to continue exercising in the long run. The approach in this study was to determine the kinds of motivation experienced by people when they engage in a particular kind of physical activity. I think an alternative approach could have been used to learn about the kinds of motivation that cause people to choose one kind of physical activity over another. In other words instead of using the types of physical activity as a starting point, the motivations themselves could be used as a starting point, to gain a different perspective. This method of conceptualizing the study is more appealing to me because it seems more direct to say that motivation leads to a particular type of physical activity than to say that this type of physical activity is associated with certain kinds of motivation.
Opponents of physical education in schools state that gym is not the best way to utilize students’ time. Students’ should be given the choice to participate in gym class or not because many students aren’t as athletic and don’t enjoy it enough to want to do it in school. Despite this downfall, PE is important in students’ life and even though some don’t enjoy it as much, they need it in order to be successful in life. If not, diseases and health risks could come up and it wouldn’t be robust. Ultimately, physical education provides superior benefits.
Over the past decades our culture has changes dramatically. To which our nation was once a physically active nation. Yet now it seems that society discourages physical activity. The human race has been dependent on automobiles, discouraging people to walk or bike, increasing the chance of a poor life-style. Yet there are many factors that affect the achievement and maintenance of a healthy life. Young people are growing into a diverse society, which is characterized by rapid change, inactive work and leisure practices that influence unhealthy behaviors. By incorporating physical activity into peoples daily routine will increase their chances of being healthier, reducing certain diseases and learning how to avoid injuries. Physical education helps students improve their knowledge about health issues and practices that will lead to a more enjoyable life. Students playing and working in a team together develop social skills, teamwork, achieving goals, and development of self-esteem. Overall physical education provides the potential for a better life style.
For all Americans, physical educational practices can be a key part in their overall health. Ba...
Shape your body by cutting fat and sculpting muscle. Enhance your performance by increasing strength and cardiovascular endurance. The physical training process has been deconstructed, examined, and reconstructed. Needless complexity has been simplified or removed. The resulting system is balanced, thorough, and efficient. Whether you are a complete novice, skilled intermediate, or seasoned expert: Consider this system to be an issued challenge. Take on this challenge. Use the programs. See the results. Feel the results. Achieve your ultimate potential.
Because Franklin County is so large, initial goals would be applied to a neighborhood setting before implementation across the county. To make a positive impact on health and decrease heart disease within the community, these goals are meant to decrease barriers to exercise and provide motivation for exercise participation. Two of the short-term goals address the barriers of time and cost. The other two short-term goals provide convenience and support and recognize that people are motivated differently
Living a long and healthy life requires more than just good luck. People all over the world go to the gyms and like to exercise for different reasons. Some think that maintaining their fitness will just aim at their physical image, but being physically active will help control their overall health by improving the body's function and preventing sickness. Being physically active is the key to being physically and mentally fit, and helps people become a more balanced, physically fit person. They will not only stay healthier, but will be happier, live longer, and also sleep better. This will help boost a person's mental outlook, and also increase their self esteem. Physical fitness is one of the most important steps to a healthy body.
Sports, a very popular past time today, have been around since ancient times. Greek Olympic Games featured events from chariot races, javelin throws, to wrestling. In addition, a game similar to soccer was played in China by the second century BC. In England, a violent rugby type game was even played to settle feuds between villages. With the development of the industrial revolution and the creation of the first public schools, sports decreased in violence and were played more recreationally and constructively. Basketball was invented to help the youth in New England spend their energy in the winter months. Since the early 1900’s sports have been a key experience in the United States (“History of Sports”). I have played sports for many years, and the experience has helped me grow significantly as an individual.
Obesity rates in North America are appallingly high; all states in the USA report over a fifth of the adult population being obese and over a third in some Southern states (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama) (The State of Obesity, 2016). Eighty percent of adults from the USA do not meet the government’s minimum recommendations for physical activity. The government health guidelines state that adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly (health.gov, 2008). Obesity can lead to diabetes, cardiovascular problems, low self-esteem, and other health issues. Physical activity has physiological health benefits (muscle growth, cardiovascular health, and more), and psychological benefits (escalated energy, reduced stress, and higher self-confidence) (Association for Applied Sports Psychology, 2016). Unfortunately, over a quarter of American high school students are overweight or obese (The State of Obesity, 2016), and this will set a standard for them for the rest of their life. Campaigns promoting exercise and outdoor exercise should target youth and should put additional work into the Southern states, which are statistically the