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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access originally published online on May 24, 2007
Journal of Pediatric Psychology 2008 33(1):39-49; doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsm039
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Peer Influence on Children's Physical Activity: An Experience Sampling Study

Sarah-Jeanne Salvy, PhD1, Julie Wojslawowicz Bowker, PhD2, James N. Roemmich, PhD1, Natalie Romero, RD1, Elizabeth Kieffer, MA1, Rocco Paluch, MS1 and Leonard H. Epstein, PhD1

1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Behavioral Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Farber Hall, Room G56, 3435 Main Street, Building #26, Buffalo NY, 14214-3000 and 2Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York 224 Park Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-4110

All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to S.-J. Salvy. E-mail: ssalvy{at}buffalo.edu.


  Abstract

Objective The primary objective was to examine the associations between social context (the presence of peers, friends, and family members) and physical activity intensity for overweight and lean girls and boys. Methods Participants for this study included 10 boys (M = 13.4 years; SD = .8) and 10 girls (M = 13.8 years; SD =. 8). Twelve participants were between the 15th and the 85th BMI percentile (eight girls, four boys) and eight youth were at or above the 85th BMI percentile (six boys, two girls). Participants reported on their activity intensity and whether the activity was solitary or with others for seven consecutive days. Results Children were more likely to report more intense physical activity when in the company of peers or close friends. Overweight children reported greater physical activity when in the presence of peers than did lean children; however, overweight children also reported more time spent alone. Conclusions Taken together, findings highlight the importance of considering peer relationships in studies of physical activity and childhood "obesity."

Key words: overweight in children; physical activity; social context.

Received February 6, 2007; revision received April 24, 2007; accepted April 24, 2007


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