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Prediction of correlates of daily physical activity in Spanish children aged 8-9 years
J M Saavedra1, Y Escalante, A M Domínguez
1Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, AFIDES Research Group, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
Insights
Physically active fathers positively influence their children's daily physical activity (PA), leading to better health outcomes. This highlights the crucial role of fathers in promoting children's health and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles are growing public health concerns.
- Parental influence on children's health behaviors is significant but requires further investigation.
- Understanding the family environment's role in promoting physical activity is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between parents' and children's daily physical activity (PA).
- To determine the impact of children's daily PA on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body mass index (BMI), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 351 children (aged 8-9) and 670 parents.
- Objective PA assessment using pedometers worn for 4 days.
- Measurement of height, weight, BMI, CRF (20-m shuttle run test), and HRQoL (EQ-5D-Y).
Main Results:
- Father's PA was a significant predictor of the child's daily PA.
- Children's PA positively influenced their CRF and HRQoL, and negatively influenced their BMI.
- Path analysis revealed a direct link from father's PA to child's PA and subsequent health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- A physically active father serves as a positive role model, enhancing child's PA.
- Family environment and parental role modeling are key factors in promoting children's physical activity and health.
- Interventions targeting fathers could be effective in improving child health outcomes.
Abstract:
The aims of the study were (a) to examine the associations between the daily physical activity (PA) of 8- to 9-year-old children and their parents, and (b) to examine what effect the child's daily PA has on its cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body mass index (BMI), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The sample consisted of 1021 persons [351 children (8.73 ± 0.69 years in age) and 670 parents]. Pedometers were used to evaluate PA in parents and their children over the course of 4 days (Thursday-Sunday), with the instructions on how to wear the pedometers for 24 h a day. Also evaluated were height, weight, BMI, CRF (via the maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test), and HRQoL (via the EQ-5D-Y questionnaire). Associations between these variables were studied using path model techniques. The father's PA predicts his child's daily PA. This in turn predicts the child's lower BMI, CRF, and perceived quality of life. The findings suggest that the role model of a physically active father positively influences the child's PA habits, and hence that the family environment can have an important part to play in promoting health.
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