Familial aggregation of leisure-time physical activity across three generations: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young...

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is known to be hereditary for two generations, but its transmission beyond that is less studied. This study examined LTPA aggregation in three-generation families.

Data on self-reported LTPA were extracted from the Young Finns Study in 2018-2020, including three generational groups: offspring (G2; aged 7-38 years, n = 2499), parents (G1; aged 43-58 years, n = 1960) and grandparents (G0; aged 58-94 years, n = 2190). In the analysis, G2 was categorized into two age groups: youth offspring (aged 7-18 years) and adult offspring (aged 19-38 years). Correlations, chi-square test and binary logistic regressions were used to compare the differences in LTPA levels (low vs. high) between G1-G2, G0-G2 and G0-G1, stratified by gender and age.

In the youth offspring group, high-active G1 fathers were more likely to have highly active G2 sons, while high-active G1 mothers were more likely to have highly active G2 daughters when compared with their low-active counterparts. High-active G0 maternal grandmothers had a higher probability of having highly active G2 granddaughters than low-active maternal grandmothers. In the adult offspring group, high-active G0 maternal grandfathers were more likely to have highly active G2 grandsons compared with low-active maternal grandfathers.

The study highlights the role of familial modelling in shaping LTPA behaviours, especially in younger generations. The findings support targeted, family-based interventions to promote LTPA early in life, considering gender- and age-specific dynamics.