Popularity, Friendship & Physical Activity

Results from: “Popularity and friendships and their relationship to physical activity before and after transition to a higher school grade“.

Swanson K, Nettel-Aquirre A, McCormack GR

---

Peer relationships and physical activity

Social environments affect the health-related behaviours of children (1). Aspects of peer relationships, such as popularity (the number of incoming friendship nominations), the number of outgoing friendship nominations, and the physical activity levels of friends can influence a child’s physical activity behaviour (1,2). The start of a new school year can be a factor in modifying behaviours that contribute to mental health and wellbeing; however few studies have investigated the effects on physical activity (3). This study investigated the influence and magnitude by which peer relationships affect a child’s physical activity behaviour during the transition to a higher grade within the same school.

Influence on a child’s physical activity levels

Download PDF

Following the transition to a higher grade, the average participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by friends and the number of friends that a child identified with was positively associated with their own physical activity levels. Though popularity was found to influence a child’s physical activity behaviour prior to the start of a new school year, no associations were found post-transition. Similar relationships were found for both boys and girls. Overall, peer relationships can influence the physical activity of a child during the transition to a higher school grade.

Suggested Citation: Swanson KC, Nettel-Aguirre A, McCormack GR. Popularity and friendships and their relationship to physical activity before and after transition to a higher school grade. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2019 Aug;16(15):2782.

References

1. Sawka KJ, McCormack GR, Nettel-Aguirre A, Hawe P, Doyle-Baker PK. Friendship networks and physical activity and sedentary behavior among youth: a systematized review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2013 Dec;10:1-9.

2. Sawka KJ, McCormack GR, Nettel-Aguirre A, Blackstaffe A, Perry R, Hawe P. Associations between aspects of friendship networks, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour among adolescents. Journal of Obesity. 2014;2014(1):632689.

3. Forrest CB, Bevans KB, Riley AW, Crespo R, Louis TA. Health and school outcomes during children's transition into adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2013 Feb 1;52(2):186-94.

---

Posted June 12, 2020

Written by Emma Chong

Infographic by Emma Chong