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Parental physical activity, safety perceptions and children's independent mobility
Maria Paula Santos1, Andreia N Pizarro, Jorge Mota
1Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa 91, Porto 4200-450, Portugal. msantos@fade.up.pt
BMC Public Health
|June 18, 2013
Summary
Parental perception of neighborhood safety and parents' physical activity are linked to children's independent mobility. Safe neighborhoods and active parents may encourage more freedom for children to explore their surroundings.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Environmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Parental influence is fundamental to child behavior.
- Limited research exists on parental physical activity and neighborhood perceptions' impact on children's independent mobility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between parental physical activity, neighborhood safety perceptions, and children's independent mobility.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 354 pupils and parents.
- Evaluated independent mobility, neighborhood safety perceptions, and physical activity via questionnaires.
- Utilized categorical principal components analysis for data reduction.
Main Results:
- Parental perception of sidewalk and street safety was the strongest predictor of independent mobility (beta = 0.132).
- Parental physical activity also significantly predicted independent mobility.
- The model explained 13.0% of the variance in children's independent mobility.
Conclusions:
- Parental perceptions of neighborhood safety and their own physical activity levels may be associated with children's independent mobility.
- Further research is recommended to explore this association.
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