Notes
1 The schools were selected by convenience. Prior to the study, the researchers presumed the diverse ethnic composition because of location; however, they were unaware of the similar economic status between the two populations until after data were collected. Future research could target diverse economic areas.
2 Parental/guardian consent letters were required in Spanish and English for the West coast participants. However, all the participants spoke English fluently and some were bilingual. The interviews were all in English.
3 For the East coast, groups went to the library one at a time for the interview while the remaining student participants stayed in class. For the West coast, groups met one at a time in the gymnasium while the remaining student participants visited with each other outside during the physical education class. Normally these high-school students would be busy with PE-related activities; however, it was the last week of the school year and they were not required to dress down or do work typically associated with the class.
4 The option for extra credit was at the teachers’ discretion and was not a condition presented by the researchers. The West coast researcher was informed of the extra credit offer after it was granted to the students. It was not part of the university human subjects applications; however, we believe it is important to note in our study.
5 The authors appreciate graduate students Valerie Moses and Diana Reyes for transcribing the interviews.
6 In conversations during the focus groups, results are recorded by gender (M or F) and by speaker number to distinguish them. In this dialogue M1, M2, M1, F1, M1 male #1 speaks followed by male #2, male #1 comments again, followed by female #1 and then male #1 says something again.