Gender differences in physical activity are partially explained by anxiety sensitivity in post-secondary students

Christopher E. J. DeWolfe; Margo C. Watt; Pablo Romero-Sanchiz; Sherry H. Stewart

doi:10.1080/07448481.2018.1549048

Gender differences in physical activity are partially explained by anxiety sensitivity in post-secondary students

Christopher E. J. DeWolfe, Margo C. Watt, Pablo Romero-Sanchiz, Sherry H. Stewart

School of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objective: Female post-secondary students typically engage in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Given that women have greater anxiety sensitivity (ie, fear of arousal-based body sensations) and anxiety sensitivity is inversely related to physical activity participation, this study sought to determine if anxiety sensitivity mediates gender differences in self-reported physical activity. Participants and methods: A sample of 802 post-secondary students completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and a Lifestyles Questionnaire in September 2017. Results: Women reported significantly less physical activity and significantly greater anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly and inversely related to self-reported physical activity. A significant indirect effect of gender on physical activity via anxiety sensitivity was shown (B = 5.56, SE = 2.81, p

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	219-222
Number of pages	4
Journal	Journal of American College Health
Volume	68
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1549048
Publication status	Published - 15 Jan 2019

Keywords

Anxiety sensitivity
anxiety sensitivity
avoidance
gender differences
physical activity

Access to Document

10.1080/07448481.2018.1549048

Cite this

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title = "Gender differences in physical activity are partially explained by anxiety sensitivity in post-secondary students",

abstract = "Objective: Female post-secondary students typically engage in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Given that women have greater anxiety sensitivity (ie, fear of arousal-based body sensations) and anxiety sensitivity is inversely related to physical activity participation, this study sought to determine if anxiety sensitivity mediates gender differences in self-reported physical activity. Participants and methods: A sample of 802 post-secondary students completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and a Lifestyles Questionnaire in September 2017. Results: Women reported significantly less physical activity and significantly greater anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly and inversely related to self-reported physical activity. A significant indirect effect of gender on physical activity via anxiety sensitivity was shown (B = 5.56, SE = 2.81, p ",

keywords = "Anxiety sensitivity, anxiety sensitivity, avoidance, gender differences, physical activity",

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T1 - Gender differences in physical activity are partially explained by anxiety sensitivity in post-secondary students

AU - DeWolfe, Christopher E. J.

AU - Watt, Margo C.

AU - Romero-Sanchiz, Pablo

AU - Stewart, Sherry H.

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Y1 - 2019/1/15

N2 - Objective: Female post-secondary students typically engage in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Given that women have greater anxiety sensitivity (ie, fear of arousal-based body sensations) and anxiety sensitivity is inversely related to physical activity participation, this study sought to determine if anxiety sensitivity mediates gender differences in self-reported physical activity. Participants and methods: A sample of 802 post-secondary students completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and a Lifestyles Questionnaire in September 2017. Results: Women reported significantly less physical activity and significantly greater anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly and inversely related to self-reported physical activity. A significant indirect effect of gender on physical activity via anxiety sensitivity was shown (B = 5.56, SE = 2.81, p

AB - Objective: Female post-secondary students typically engage in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Given that women have greater anxiety sensitivity (ie, fear of arousal-based body sensations) and anxiety sensitivity is inversely related to physical activity participation, this study sought to determine if anxiety sensitivity mediates gender differences in self-reported physical activity. Participants and methods: A sample of 802 post-secondary students completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and a Lifestyles Questionnaire in September 2017. Results: Women reported significantly less physical activity and significantly greater anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly and inversely related to self-reported physical activity. A significant indirect effect of gender on physical activity via anxiety sensitivity was shown (B = 5.56, SE = 2.81, p

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