Parent and child approach to sustainable healthy eating and physical activity behaviors: A descriptive study

Considering that parents' lifestyle choices also affect children, it is important to evaluate and improve these effects. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of parents' nutrition and physical activity behaviors, which have an important role in the acquisition and maintenance of positive health habits in primary school children on growth and development.

A descriptive and quantitative cross-sectional design was used in this study. We recruited 200 dyads (a mother with a child) conveniently. The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors and Family Health Behaviors scales were administered to the parents. Anthropometric measurements, body mass index, and 3-day food consumption of children and their parents were recorded. Measurements were compared with scale scores. Anthropometric measurements were grouped according to the international obesity classification.

The parents of 200 children with a mean age of 11.2 years were included in the study. Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Scale score and health behaviors scale score of the parents were above the average. Anthropometric measurements and nutrient intakes such as carbohydrate, protein, and fatty acids were found to affect the scale scores. There was a moderate positive correlation between health behaviors and nutrition and physical activity.

This study shows the results of health indicators of children involved in sports and their parents' behaviors. Nutrition and physical activity, which are the main health behaviors, affect the child as well as the parent. Health behaviors of families should be monitored by anthropometric measurements and food intake and positive habits should be gained. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).