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Impact of having a child on physical activity in the UK: a scoping review protocol
Matthew Northcote1, Charlie Foster2, Richard Pulsford3
1School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK av20205@bristol.ac.uk.
Insights
Having a child significantly impacts physical activity levels across major life transitions. This scoping review examines evidence on how parenthood affects physical activity in the UK, identifying key research gaps.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Lifecycle Research
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Major life transitions, such as having a child, are linked to decreased physical activity.
- Reduced physical activity during these periods can have significant health and well-being consequences.
- Parenthood represents a critical window for health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of existing evidence on the impact of having a child on physical activity in the UK.
- To map key concepts and available evidence related to physical activity changes during the transition to parenthood.
- To identify knowledge gaps for future research in this area.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive three-step search strategy will be employed across multiple databases (CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science) and grey literature.
- Studies will be screened by two independent reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving conflicts.
- Data will be analyzed using numerical and thematic analysis, presented in tabular and diagrammatic formats.
Main Results:
- This section is to be populated upon completion of the review.
- The review will summarize findings on physical activity changes from preconception through parenthood.
- Knowledge gaps and priorities for future research will be highlighted.
Conclusions:
- This scoping review will provide a comprehensive overview of the impact of having a child on physical activity in the UK.
- Findings will inform stakeholders and guide future research directions.
- The study aims to identify effective intervention points to promote physical activity during this life transition.
Introduction:
Throughout the life course, there are major life transitions that are associated with reduced physical activity, which may have further implications for health and well-being. Having a child is one such transition that has been identified as a critical transformative experience and window for intervention. We will conduct a scoping review of available evidence exploring the impact of having a child on physical activity in the UK.
Methods And Analysis:
We will use best-practice methodological frameworks to map key concepts and available evidence, summarise and disseminate findings to stakeholders, and identify knowledge gaps. A three-step search strategy will identify primary research studies, including reviews, from published and grey literature, exploring the impact of having a child on physical activity in the UK, from the preconception period, throughout pregnancy, the postpartum period, and into parenthood. An initial limited search will identify relevant reviews, from which keywords and index terms will be extracted. We will conduct searches of CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science to identify relevant articles written in English from inception to February 2022. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts of identified studies for inclusion and chart data, with a third reviewer resolving any conflicts. Backwards citation tracking will identify any additional studies. We will conduct numerical and thematic analysis to map data in tabular and diagrammatic format and provide a description of findings by theme.
Ethics And Dissemination:
Ethical approval is not required for this scoping review. We will disseminate findings to stakeholders through publications, conferences, social media platforms and in-person communications. Consultations with key stakeholders, with their unique expertise and perspectives, will provide greater insight. We will establish the main priorities for future research to inform the research questions of subsequent studies.
Scoping Review Registration:
Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/gtqa4/) DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/GTQA4.
