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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access published online on July 10, 2008
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsn071
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© The Author 2008. 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

Effect of Peers and Friends on Youth Physical Activity and Motivation to be Physically Active

Sarah-Jeanne Salvy, PhD1, James N. Roemmich, PhD1, Julie C. Bowker, PhD2, Natalie D. Romero, MA, RD1, Phillip J. Stadler, B.S.1 and Leonard H. Epstein, PhD1

1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Behavioral Medicine, and 2Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Sarah-Jeanne Salvy, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Farber Hall, Room G56, 3435 Main Street, Building #26, Buffalo, NY 14214-3000, USA. E-mail: ssalvy{at}buffalo.edu


  Abstract

Objective To test whether the presence of a peer or a friend increases the motivation to be physically active in overweight and non-overweight youth in a laboratory setting. Methods Youth motivation to be physically active as a function of the social context was measured using a computerized relative reinforcing value task to earn points exchangeable for physical and/or sedentary activities. Results The presence of a friend (p<.001) increased youth's; motivation to be physically active. The presence of a peer increased overweight youth's; motivation to be physically active, whereas this was not the case for lean youth (p=.47). Participants biked a greater distance in the presence of a friend than when alone (p<.001). Overweight youth biked a greater distance in the presence of a peer than when alone, while this was not the case for lean youth (p=.23). Conclusions Friendships may increase youth's; motivation to engage in physical activity and promote greater physical activity in non-overweight and overweight youth.

Key words: childhood obesity; peer influence; physical activity.

Received December 7, 2007; revision received June 16, 2008; accepted June 16, 2008


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