Growing Up Active: How Sport/Active Leisure Shapes Minds and Success Using a Prospective and Person-Centered Approach...

Globally, sedentary behavior is steadily increasing, creating a worldwide concern regarding the health and well-being of young people. Physical activity is recognized for its short- and long-term benefits. Organized sports offer an opportunity for children to develop better physical and psychological health. Parents play a crucial role in their children's involvement in sports. We examine long-term associations between various individual and family factors in early childhood and participation in extracurricular sports between kindergarten and fourth grade.Our previous studies reinforce the longitudinal association between individual and family factors and subsequent participation in organized sports. The family environment is a crucial developmental vector for individuals. The resources available within the family unit enhance children's opportunities to participate in extracurricular sports activities. In sum, parental investment in sports has the potential to improve long-term population health.The current chapter emphasizes the importance of implementing educational initiatives aimed at raising parental awareness of the benefits of physical activity. Public policymakers would benefit from strengthening movement-related policies to promote population well-being. Financial investment could contribute to the accessibility of sports outside the school setting. Turcotte SA, Routhier-Guillemette S, Harandian K, Kazandjian N, Privitera M, Pagani LS (2025) Pictoral abstract Illustration depicting various aspects of childhood development and physical activity. Includes images of children playing sports, a brain symbolizing cognitive growth, a checklist, and a chart with an upward arrow. The text below reads: "Growing Up Active: How Sport/Active Leisure Shapes Minds and Success Using a Prospective and Person-Centered Approach to the Middle Childhood Life Course."