Variability in Weight Concern and Physical Activity Engagement Among African American Adolescent Girls.

Lower rates of recreational physical activity (PA) among African American (AA) adolescent girls relative to other US age/race/gender groups are assumed to reflect within-race similarity in PA attitudes and practices. However, variability in PA attitudes and practices among AA adolescent girls is not well studied. To address this, a class-diverse sample of 51 AA adolescent girls' responses to survey items querying weight concern (WC) and PA was examined for sub-groupings using cluster analysis. Three clusters were identified [L/H-low WC, high PA; H/L-high WC, low PA; and L/L-low WC and PA]. Survey item response means were examined by cluster. L/L differed visibly, but not significantly, from L/H and H/L on items assessing PA engagement. The same was true for H/L with WC items. Cluster identification and trends in response differences by cluster have potential implications for targeted PA promotion efforts. Further investigation with larger, representative samples is warranted.

Influencia del clima familiar en el proceso de adaptación social del adolescente / Influence of family environment in the adolescent's social adaptation process

El propósito de la investigación es conocer la relación del clima familiar con el proceso de adaptación social de adolescentes (hombres y mujeres), estudiantes de bachillerato con edades entre los 15 y 19 años (media = 17 y de =1). La muestra fue de 146 participantes; 82 mujeres (56%) y 64 hombres (44%), el 100% de los cuales pertenece a familias nucleares. Para recabar los datos se utilizaron el cuestionario "Como es tu familia / su familia" y la escala de adaptación social (sass). Los resultados indican que a mayor cohesión en el funcionamiento familiar, el adolescente mostrará mayor capacidad de adaptación social. De acuerdo al género del adolescente se observa que en el caso de los hombres, el factor cohesión familiar mantiene una relación más fuerte con la variable adaptación social (r = .71, r² = .51) en comparación con la correlación que presentan las mujeres (r = .56, r² = .31). Lo anterior se explica desde el rol fundamental que la familia ocupa en nuestra cultura como pilar en la formación integral de los hijos y la educación de género que se les da según el sexo.

The purpose of the research was to determine the relationship between the family environment and the social adjustment process in adolescents. Participants were 146 high school students, 82 men (56%) and 64 women (44%), aged between 15 and 19 years (Mam=17 y DE=1), 100% in nuclear families. The instruments used were the questionnaire "How is your Family" (who and paho, 1996) and the "Social Adjustment Scale-SASS" (Bobes, 1999). The results indícate that the greater cohesion in family functioning, the greater social resilience in adolescents. However, this association appears more strongly in men (r = .71, r2 = .51) than in women (r = .56, r2 = .31). The results are explained on the fundamental role that the family plays in our culture as a pillar in the overall education of children, and the gender role assigned by sex.