Physical Activity of Obese and Nonobese Adolescent Girls Appraised by Motion Picture Sampling

Abstract

A motion Picture technic was used to compare the activity of obese and nonobese adolescent girls while they engaged in three sports at summer camp. Three second "shots" taken at regular intervals were analyzed for per cent time spent motionless and for the energy expenditure calculated on the basis of type and speed of locomotion and intensity of other movement. On the basis of 27,211 individual observations, it is clear that the obese girls were far less active than the nonobese girls even during the supervised sport periods. On a questionnaire the subjects reported their estimate of the time spent in physical activity during the school year and also their attitudes toward exercise. Participation in physical activities appears to present the obese girls with a conflict of which they are not aware. The favorable attitude expressed by these girls toward physical activities was not translated into much voluntary participation during the school year nor into a high activity level at camp. While they were aware of being less active than their peers and attributed this to their problem of overweight, the obese girls failed to recognize their disinclination for active exercise. The striking degree of inactivity of the obese girls, evident even while participating in sports under optimum conditions, appears to be a significant factor. It would appear essential to attempt to teach these girls to enjoy more intensive exertion in sport or dance activities which are of social significance to them.