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Parent influences on preschoolers' objectively assessed physical activity
Melody Oliver1, Grant M Schofield, Philip J Schluter
1Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand. melody.oliver@aut.ac.nz
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
|July 24, 2009
Summary
Parental physical activity (PA) levels are positively associated with increased PA in preschoolers. Encouraging parents to be active may help boost young children's activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Preschool physical activity (PA) is crucial for healthy development.
- Understanding factors influencing preschooler PA is essential for effective interventions.
- Parental PA is a potential, yet under-explored, correlate of child PA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between accelerometer-derived PA in preschoolers and their parents.
- To identify other child and parental factors associated with preschooler PA.
Main Methods:
- Recruited families with children aged 2-5 years in Auckland, New Zealand.
- Utilized accelerometers worn for 7 consecutive days to measure PA in 15-second epochs.
- Employed negative binomial and normal generalised estimating equation (GEE) models for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Parental PA rates (coefficient 0.09, P=0.01) and child age (coefficient 0.11, P=0.03) were significantly associated with child PA rates.
- After multivariable adjustment, only parental PA and child age remained significant correlates.
- No other child or parental factors were found to be significantly associated with child PA in the final model.
Conclusions:
- Parental PA is a significant positive correlate of PA in preschoolers.
- Child age is also a significant correlate, with younger children potentially benefiting more from interventions.
- Involving parents in preschool PA interventions may be an effective strategy to increase children's activity levels.
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