The effect of physical education teacher physical appearance on student physical activity

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Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Health
Department Occupational & Recreational Therapies
Author McKown, Hayley B.
Title The effect of physical education teacher physical appearance on student physical activity
Date 2017
Description The purpose of this study was to examine how perceptions of a physical educator's physical appearance affected student physical activity levels through the use of pedometers. It was hypothesized that students with a fit-appearing teacher would have higher step counts than students with an overweight-appearing teacher. Both male and female students (N = 142) from fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade physical education classes wore pedometers during physical education class. Initially, students completed a Figure Rating Scale that rated a set of two cartoon figures in order to determine weight bias. A Zumba lesson was taught by one female guest teacher who wore a fat suit for half of the classes and no fat suit for the other half of the classes separately. Following the lesson, students completed a Student Attitude Questionnaire regarding the guest teacher and asked to record step count from their pedometer. A 3 x 2 x 2 ANCOVA data analysis revealed a statistically significant grade x group interaction (F [2,129] = 6.48, p = .002, ETA = .091). The covariate Student Attitude Questionnaire showed statistical significance (F [1, 129] = 9.23, p = .003, ETA = .067). The results of this study showed that the fourth graders had a higher step/min. in the group with the fit-appearing teacher and lower step/min. in the group with the overweight-appearing teacher. However, it was the opposite with the sixth graders, as the group with the fit-appearing teacher had lower step/min. than the group with the overweight-appearing teacher. The results of this study indicate that a fit teacher appearance may have a greater direct relationship with fourth-grader physical activity, but fit-appearing teachers may actually relate to lower levels of physical activity in sixth graders. These phenomena may be influenced by preactivity weight bias in children.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Physical education; Elementary education; Kinesiology
Dissertation Name Master of Science
Language eng
Rights Management (c) Hayley B. McKown
Format Medium application/pdf
ARK ark:/87278/s62r88qg
Setname ir_etd
ID 1431815
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s62r88qg
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