Date of Award

4-1996

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Human Performance and Health Education

First Advisor

Dr. Roger Zabik

Second Advisor

Dr. Patricia Frye

Third Advisor

Dr. Wayne Fuqua

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Bill Simpson

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The problem of this study was to compare the physical activity levels, body fat percentage and self-esteem levels for children 1 O to 12 years of age. Subjects were 5th and 6th grade students who attended Schoolcraft or Lawton Middleschools in Southwest Michigan. The instruments used for this study consisted of the Lohman 2-site skinfold test, the Harter "What I am Like" self-esteem questionnaire, and a physical activity checklist. Subjects were grouped according to body fat percentage and physical activity level. Significant differences were found for males body fat groups for 4 of the 6 subscales of self-esteem: (1) . athletic competence, (2) physical appearance, (3) social acceptance, and (4) global self-worth. No significant differences were found between the body fat groups for the females. No significant differences were found between the physical activity groups for males or for females. Thus, as the males body fat percentage increased their self-esteem decreased. This relationship was not true for females. Also, males scored higher than females on all but one of the self-esteem subscales.

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