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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Danielle R. Brittain, BS, MS, Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University, 1A Natatorium, Manhattan, KS 66506, 785-532-0711, drb6544@ksu.edu and Mary McElroy, PhD, Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, 1A Natatorium, Manhattan, KS 66506.
Recently health professionals have begun to focus attention on health conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, depression) and risk factors (e.g., smoking) among lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. Although many of these health issues are positively influenced by participation in physical activity, rates of physical activity remain low among most groups of American adults. Thus, there is a need to identify mechanisms that enhance participation in physical activity. One potential factor is that of social support, which has been found to be positively associated with physical activity in the general adult population. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between social support and physical activity in lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. Data from 97 self-reported lesbians, gays, and bisexuals who participated in the Midlife Development in the United States, a national representation of non-institutionalized adults were used in this study. It was hypothesized that physical activity would be positively correlated with emotional support. Three scales of emotional social support (family, friend, and partner) and four dichotomous measures of physical activity (summer moderate, winter moderate, summer vigorous and winter vigorous) were developed. Multiple independent t tests revealed no differences in social support between those who reported physical activity and those who were sedentary. Findings are discussed in terms of a need for more specific measures of physical activity-related social support and a continued need to study the health behaviors of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.