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Self-perception and participation in sports and exercise : a comparison of obese and normal weight adolescents in a secondary school
Author
Low, Christina Peck Khay
Supervisor
Tan, Harry
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate if the self-perception as well as sports ad exercise participation of obese adolescents were significantly different from that of normal weight adolescents in secondary school. The study compared the obese and normal weight adolescents with regard to their perceived competence in six domains of their lives. The domains comprised (1) scholastic competence (2) social competence (3) athletic competence (4) physical appearance (5) behavioural conduct and (6) close friendship. For these two groups of adolescents, the variable, global self-worth was compared. In addition, the study explored gender differences in the self-perception profile and sports and exercise participation of adolescents.
The sample, drawn from a single neighbourhood school, comprised 101 obese adolescents from school's Trim and Fit Club and a corresponding number of normal weight adolescents matched by gender, level and stream. The pupils, aged between 13 to 19, were from either of these stream-Express, Normal and Normal Technical.
Self-perception was measured by Harter's (1988) 'Self perception profile for adolescents' which measures - domain specific evaluations of competence and the independence assessment of the overall judgement of one's self-worth.
Participation in spots and exercise was ascertained through open-ended questions asking the frequency of the student's exercise participation outside school hours. Records of the students' extra-curricular activities in school were obtained from the schools Extra-Curricular Activity Management System (ECAMS).
In analysing the data, frequency distributions of sports and exercise participation and the type of ECA participation were compared between obese and normal weight adolescents. Similar comparisons also were made between male and female adolescents. The study found that :
1) Obese adolescents generally perceived themselves to be less competent than normal weight adolescents. With regard to domain specific perceived competence, the mean scores of the obese adolescents were significantly lower in the following domains: Social, Athletic and Physical Appearance. The Global Self-worth mean score of the obese adolescents was significantly lower than that of normal weight adolescents.
2) The frequency of obese adolescents exercising outside school hours was lower than that of normal weight adolescents. There were also fewer obese adolescents involved in recreational sport ECA or representing the school in competitive sport ECAs.
3) Male adolescents had significantly higher mean score in athletic perceived competence. Female adolescents scored higher in the friendship domain. In terms of sports and exercise participation, male adolescents were significantly more active. However, there was no significant gender difference in ECA participation.
The findings have implications for the teachers and pupils in the Trim and Fit programme in school. The study revealed that obese adolescents had lower global self-worth. For adolescents, self-worth or self-esteem is very often determined by their physical appearance. The adverse affect of obesity on an adolescent's self-perception is reiterated. An awareness of the negative impact of low perceived competence and self-worth will encourage teachers to create opportunities to alter negative perceptions of the self of obese adolescents and to maintain a supportive environment to enhance perceived competence.
The sample, drawn from a single neighbourhood school, comprised 101 obese adolescents from school's Trim and Fit Club and a corresponding number of normal weight adolescents matched by gender, level and stream. The pupils, aged between 13 to 19, were from either of these stream-Express, Normal and Normal Technical.
Self-perception was measured by Harter's (1988) 'Self perception profile for adolescents' which measures - domain specific evaluations of competence and the independence assessment of the overall judgement of one's self-worth.
Participation in spots and exercise was ascertained through open-ended questions asking the frequency of the student's exercise participation outside school hours. Records of the students' extra-curricular activities in school were obtained from the schools Extra-Curricular Activity Management System (ECAMS).
In analysing the data, frequency distributions of sports and exercise participation and the type of ECA participation were compared between obese and normal weight adolescents. Similar comparisons also were made between male and female adolescents. The study found that :
1) Obese adolescents generally perceived themselves to be less competent than normal weight adolescents. With regard to domain specific perceived competence, the mean scores of the obese adolescents were significantly lower in the following domains: Social, Athletic and Physical Appearance. The Global Self-worth mean score of the obese adolescents was significantly lower than that of normal weight adolescents.
2) The frequency of obese adolescents exercising outside school hours was lower than that of normal weight adolescents. There were also fewer obese adolescents involved in recreational sport ECA or representing the school in competitive sport ECAs.
3) Male adolescents had significantly higher mean score in athletic perceived competence. Female adolescents scored higher in the friendship domain. In terms of sports and exercise participation, male adolescents were significantly more active. However, there was no significant gender difference in ECA participation.
The findings have implications for the teachers and pupils in the Trim and Fit programme in school. The study revealed that obese adolescents had lower global self-worth. For adolescents, self-worth or self-esteem is very often determined by their physical appearance. The adverse affect of obesity on an adolescent's self-perception is reiterated. An awareness of the negative impact of low perceived competence and self-worth will encourage teachers to create opportunities to alter negative perceptions of the self of obese adolescents and to maintain a supportive environment to enhance perceived competence.
Date Issued
2000
Call Number
BF724.3.S35 Low
Description
Pg. vi is missing
Date Submitted
2000