Family physical activity and sedentary environments and weight change in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric obesity research
• Childhood and adolescent health
• Family health behaviors

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
• Understanding factors influencing body mass index (BMI) changes during childhood is crucial.
• The transition from childhood to adolescence is a critical period for weight management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between family physical activity and sedentary environment and changes in body mass index (BMI) z-scores in 10-12-year-old children.
• To identify specific family and home environmental factors associated with BMI z-score changes over three years.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study followed 152 boys and 192 girls aged 10-12 years for three years.
• Height and weight were measured at baseline and follow-up to calculate BMI z-scores.
• Parental questionnaires assessed family physical activity, sedentary environment, and home physical environment at baseline.

Main Results:

• At baseline, 29.6% of boys and 21.9% of girls were overweight or obese.
• Girls showed a significant increase in BMI z-scores over three years.
• For boys, more sedentary items at home correlated with increased BMI z-scores.
• For girls, sibling physical activity and home physical activity equipment were associated with decreased BMI z-scores.

Conclusions:

• Sibling physical activity and home environmental factors promoting physical activity are important for preventing childhood weight gain.
• Interventions targeting the home environment and encouraging sibling involvement in physical activity may help manage weight during the transition to adolescence.