Youth sport participation as a result of social identity theory

Abstract

The rate of children who are considered overweight has been increasing in the United States, which can be attributed to a number of factors. One of the components influencing the phenomena is a lack of physical activity among youth. This investigation uses a survey created through the review of literature to look at the influence of social identity theory on the choice of activities by children ages 9-13. The investigation was administered in a city of 300,000 individuals. In particular, the examination analyzes the decisions of physical activities of minority youth and the influence of a number of societal variables (family, playmates, and top athletes) have on those decisions. Seven hundred and fifty children of five diverse youth sport associations completed questionnaires which were analyzed using linear regression and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The findings from the study illustrated that youth are profoundly impacted by social factors more so than environmental or external factors such as availability, distance, expense or facility.