Men's Physical Activity in Adolescence Predicts Their Physical Activity Parenting as Fathers

Examine whether men's historical patterns of adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines during adolescence are associated with their PA parenting practices as fathers.

Data were drawn from 565 fathers in the Fathers & Families study (F&F) followed since early adolescence. Analysis focused on men who had a child aged 2-6 years and self-reported at least two historical measures of PA (ages 10-24 years) and PA parenting practices (e.g., being active with the child and facilitating opportunities for activity). Men's patterns of adherence to PA guidelines during adolescence were identified using sequence analysis and hierarchical clustering. We examined associations between these patterns and PA parenting practices in fatherhood using ordinal logistic regression.

We identified four patterns of adherence to PA guidelines during adolescence: Consistently Sedentary (12.2%), Early Active (18.2%), Late Active (34.2%), and Consistently Active (35.4%). Compared to men classified as Consistently Sedentary during adolescence, men classified as Late Active (OR = 1.81; 95%CI: 1.05-3.16) or Consistently Active (OR = 2.72; 95%CI: 1.57-4.76) had higher odds of engaging in supportive PA parenting practices as fathers. The PA parenting practices of fathers categorized as Early Active during adolescence did not differ from those classified as Consistently Sedentary.

Men who consistently met PA guidelines during adolescence and those who became active later in adolescence were more likely to engage in supportive PA parenting practices as fathers. Results highlight the importance of promoting PA among adolescent boys and support calls for a preconception model of men's health.