Gender differences in physical activity in older children and adolescents: the central role of organized sport

Vilhjálmsson, Rúnar; Kristjánsdóttir, Guðrún

doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00042-4

Cited by 241 publications

(216 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The number of boys enrolled in sport clubs that involve high-intensity exercise (e.g., football, basketball, bicycling) is clearly higher than the number of girls (Vilhjalmsson and Kristjansdottir 2003;Borraccino et al 2009). This gender gap in involvement in sports translates into sex differences in the number of hours per week individuals spend doing exercise not only in childhood, but also in adulthood (Kjønniksen et al 2009).…”

Section: Physical Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This gender gap in involvement in sports translates into sex differences in the number of hours per week individuals spend doing exercise not only in childhood, but also in adulthood (Kjønniksen et al 2009). Boys and girls also appear to have different motivations for enrolling in a youth sport club: boys tend to report engaging in physical activities for the sake of competition and in order to demonstrate their abilities (male-oriented features); while girls tend to report exercising for health reasons, for social reasons, or to improve their appearance (female-oriented features) (Vilhjalmsson and Kristjansdottir 2003).…”

Section: Physical Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sex Differences in Health and Survival

Oksuzyan

Gumà

Doblhammer

2018

A Demographic Perspective on Gender, Family and Health in Europe

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Section: Physical Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Physical Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex Differences in Health and Survival

Oksuzyan

Gumà

Doblhammer

2018

A Demographic Perspective on Gender, Family and Health in Europe

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“…Internationally, levels of physical activity have been found to decrease with age in adolescence, with girls engaging in significantly less activity than boys in most countries and regions worldwide [5]. Possible explanations for these sex disparities include the suggestion that competitive activities may appeal more to boys, while girls may focus more on health and fitness [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity in European adolescents and associations with anxiety, depression and well-being

McMahon

Corcoran

O’Regan

et al. 2016

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry

430

282

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In this cross-sectional study, physical activity, sport participation and associations with wellbeing, anxiety and depressive symptoms were examined in a large representative sample of European adolescents. A school-based survey was completed by 11,110 adolescents from ten European countries who took part in the SEYLE (Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe) study. The questionnaire included items assessing physical activity, sport participation and validated instruments assessing well-being (WHO-5), depressive symptoms (BDI-II) and anxiety (SAS). Multilevel mixed effects linear regression was used to examine associations between physical activity/sport participation and mental health measures. A minority of the sample (17.9% of boys and 10.7% of girls; p<0.0005) reported sufficient activity based on WHO guidelines (60 minutes+ daily).The mean number of days of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity in the past two weeks was 7.5±4.4 among boys and 5.9 days±4.3 among girls. Frequency of activity was positively correlated with wellbeing and negatively correlated with both anxiety and depressive symptoms, up to a threshold of moderate frequency of activity. In a multi-level mixed effects model more frequent physical activity and participation in sport were both found to independently contribute to greater wellbeing and lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms in both sexes. Increasing activity levels and sports participation among the least active young people should be a target of community and school-based interventions to promote well-being. There does not appear to be an additional benefit to mental health associated with meeting the WHO-recommended levels of activity.

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“…For adolescent girls, this means a decrease in traditionally masculine activities, such as participation in physical activity. According to social ideals of gender, participation in physical activity is contrary to what adolescent girls may perceive they should do as they develop into young women (i.e., the notion that participation in physical activity un-feminine) [31][32][33]. In this social context, adolescent girls who are physically active are operating in opposition to what is expected of them, thereby decreasing the likelihood that they will experience the psychosocial benefits of physical activity.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Longitudinal Assessment of the Links Between Physical Activity and Self-Esteem in Early Adolescent Non-Hispanic Females

Schmalz¹,

Deane²,

Birch³

et al. 2007

Journal of Adolescent Health

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Purpose: For decades, researchers have proclaimed the positive psychosocial benefits of participation in physical activity. However, recent meta-analyses of the literature have found infrequent and inconclusive empirical support for the link between physical activity and psychosocial well-being. In this study, we use data from a longitudinal study to explore the links between participation in physical activity and global self-esteem among girls from childhood into early adolescence and the direction of this relationship. Methods:Participants included 197 non-Hispanic white girls. Girls' participation in physical activity and their global self-esteem were assessed when they were 9, 11, and 13 years old. Panel regression was used to assess the lagged effect of physical activity on self-esteem and the lagged effect of self-esteem on physical activity, controlling for family socioeconomic status (SES) and girls' body mass index (BMI).Results: A significant lagged effect of physical activity on self-esteem was identified. Specifically, higher physical activity at ages 9 and 11 years predicted higher self-esteem at ages 11 and 13 years respectively, controlling for covariates. Positive effects of physical activity on self-esteem were most apparent at age 11 and for girls with higher BMI. No support was gained for the lagged effect of selfesteem on physical activity. Conclusions:Results suggest that participating in physical activity can lead to positive self-esteem among adolescent girls, particularly for younger girls and those at greatest risk of overweight. These findings highlight the necessity of promoting physical activity among adolescent girls as a method of fostering positive self-worth. KeywordsExercise; Children; Girls; Adjustment; Mental health; Psychosocial well-being NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptThe positive effect of physical activity on mental health is a long-held and widely accepted belief among scholars and practitioners alike. Mental health benefits of physical activity may result from increases in social support and a sense of mastery as well as changes in noradrenaline and neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin [1]. Recent reviews of the literature, however, indicate that empirical support for the link between participation in physical activity and psychosocial well-being is infrequent and inconclusive [2][3][4][5]. With this in mind, this study assesses the longitudinal association between physical activity and global self-esteem in a sample of adolescent girls, a population at risk for depression and low selfesteem [6][7][8].Self-esteem is the focus of this study because it has been identified as a predictor of many other constructs that constitute psychosocial well-being. Higher levels of self-esteem are associated with increased self-efficacy, body image, and leadership, and reduced levels of depression and anxiety [5,9]. As outlined in recent reviews [2,5,10], few studies have examined the link between physical activity and self-...

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Gender differences in physical activity in older children and adolescents: the central role of organized sport

Cited by 241 publications

References 42 publications

Sex Differences in Health and Survival

Sex Differences in Health and Survival

Physical activity in European adolescents and associations with anxiety, depression and well-being

A Longitudinal Assessment of the Links Between Physical Activity and Self-Esteem in Early Adolescent Non-Hispanic Females

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