Comparing Caregiver and Child Perceptions With Actual Child Physical Activity and Motor Skill Competence: A...

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to explore the alignment of caregivers' perceptions and expectations of their preschool-aged children's physical activity (PA) and motor competence (MC) with children's actual performance located within the rural southeastern United States. Emphasizing a systems approach, we identified gaps in caregiver understanding of PA and MC to inform future interventions targeting health disparities in young children.MethodA collective case study design involved 11 caregiver-child dyads from the southeastern United States. Data included caregiver interviews and visual representations of their children's PA alongside objective measures of PA, body mass index, and MC. Analyses followed a two-phase process through the examination of individual case narratives and cross-case synthesis for emergent themes.ResultsFive key themes were identified: (1) caregivers' high valuation of PA; (2) vague definitions of PA; (3) overestimation of child PA levels; (4) limited awareness of MC; and (5) differences in PA engagement (sport-oriented vs. general PA). Caregivers consistently valued PA but often misjudged their children's PA levels and MC. Child step-counts were low-to-average, with only about half reaching the equivalent of 60-100 minutes per day, highlighting discrepancies between perceived and actual PA.ConclusionFindings highlight the need for accessible caregiver education on PA and MC. Tailored community programs through a systems approach could be the next step to bridge gaps in caregiver perceptions and shrink children's health disparities.