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THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAN ADOLESCENTS AND HOW IT IMPACTS THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE

Running Head: Affects of physical activity on weight and overall health among adolescents

Authors:

Lourdes BautistaAdrianna BautistaGabriela MonzonnnAnna Maria Pelcastre

School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University,San Diego, CA 92182

Corresponding Author:

Mee Young Hong, PhDDepartment of Exercise and Nutritional SciencesSan Diego State University5500 Campanile DriveSan Diego, CA 92182-7251(619) 594-2392mhong2@mail.sdsu.edu

AbstractObjectiveEvaluate the relationship between physical activity, food choice and body self-perception in Southern California, teenage male and females and how they correspond with BMI.MethodsOver one thousand three hundred Southern California male and female teenagers were recruited by students from San Diego State University to participate in a survey that had different questions that pertained to age, gender, weight, body image, physical activity and the frequency of consumption of certain foods. In order to administer these surveys, the students from San Diego State University were required to be certified by SDSUs Institution Review Board. Once the data was collected, all of the data was inputted into spreadsheets and was then reviewed once more for accuracy. The statistical analysis was performed using chi-squared, independent sample T-tests and IBM SPSS software. ResultsThe males and females in this study had an average age of 15.82 years and the average weight for females was 128.22 pounds and the average weight for the males was 153.22 pounds. For both the male and female populations there average BMI was within the normal ranges. (p