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- Title
Healthy Campus 2010: Progress toward the reduction of gender disparities in physical activity objectives.
- Authors
Mack, Diane E.; Wilson, Philip M.; Gunnell, Katie; Oster, Kristin; Lightheart, Virginia
- Abstract
Reducing physical inactivity is a central goal of Healthy People 2010/Healthy Campus 2010, the latter of which focuses specifically on health in university- and college-based populations. One overarching goal of these initiatives is the elimination of health disparities, which reflects potentially avoidable differences in health between groups of people. Despite preliminary evidence noting small changes for reducing health disparities by gender for physical activity (CDC, 2004), little is known about reductions in health disparities in men and women over time for Healthy Campus 2010 objectives. The purpose of the present investigation, therefore, was to address the extent to which Healthy Campus 2010 objectives have reduced gender disparities with reference to physical activity behavior. Data from two waves of the National College Health Assessment questionnaire (ACHA, 2000) were used to address this purpose. Participants completed two items assessing the frequency of moderate and vigorous cardiovascular activities (MVPA) and strength training behaviors completed over the previous week. Rate of disparities (RD) were calculated using the most favorable group rate as the reference point. In all analyses, males served as this reference. Baseline data were provided by males (n = 5,532) and females (n = 8,981) from the 2000 spring survey period. The RD was 10.82% toward meeting the objective of engaging in MVPA three or more days per week. More disparate rates were evident for meeting strength training behavior objectives (RD = 22.64%). To measure progress toward the elimination of health disparities, 2004 spring data were used (n, males = 15,514 and n, females = 26,838). Calculated disparities for meeting targets for MVPA and strength training behavior were (RD = 8.3% and 17.82%) respectively. Consequently, slight decreases in physical activity health disparities by gender were found across the two time points, with changes more notable for strength training behavior. This study was supported by the American College Health Association.
- Subjects
HEALTH of college students; PHYSICAL education for college students; COLLEGE student attitudes; GENDER inequality; GENDER differences (Psychology); EXERCISE
- Publication
Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 2007, Vol 29, pS184
- ISSN
0895-2779
- Publication type
Article