Date of Award

5-2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Mary Peterson, PhD

Second Advisor

Clark D. Campbell, PhD

Third Advisor

Kathleen Gathercoal, PhD

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in adolescent obesity in America (Mayo Clinic, 2006). Given this, there is a corresponding need to develop targeted adolescent obesity interventions. The current study examined how a psychosocially based intervention impacted adolescents' perceived value, frequency, and amount of exercise. Participants included 55 adolescents, (28 male, 26 female) ranging in age from 15-18. Separated by class, the three groups included one control group and two separate intervention groups. All groups completed an Exercise Checklist (Anshel, 2006), measuring the value, :frequency, and amount of exercise prior to any intervention. Classes then received different levels of the intervention including a psycho-educational presentation and three-week exercise challenge. Exercise value, frequency, and amounts were re-assessed at weeks three, six, and a twelve. Findings showed that an adolescent's value, :frequency, and amount of exercise increased post intervention. Overall, this indicates that when educated about the psychological benefits of exercise, and then challenged to choose a reasonable exercise regime, adolescents are more likely to value exercise and increase the amount of times they exercise on a weekly basis.

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