Children self-reports and Parent proxy reports of physical activity and sedentary behaviour

Abstract

Abstract Background Aim of this study was to determine agreement between parent proxy reports and children self-reports of physical activities and sedentary behaviour. Methods The sample included 7-10 year-old children and their parents (n = 188) in a local community in Northern Serbia. Data were collected by questionnaires designed to assess context-specific measures of children’s physical activity (outside play, organized sports) and sedentary behavior (TV viewing, using computer, playing electronic games). Children and their parents completed questionnaires separately. Agreement between children’s and parent`s responses was calculated with Cohen’s kappa. Differences in parent`s and children`s responses in relation to gender, grade and BMI were analyzed using χ2 test. Values p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Level of agreement between parents’ and children’s reports ranged from poor for variable TV viewing before going to school (κ = 0.21; p = 0.04) to substantial for variable physical activity before going to school (κ = 0.74; p = 0.00). Girls were more likely than boys to agree with parents about time spent playing on the computer after school (χ2=11.23;p=0.01). Overweight and obese children tended to report more time in TV viewing than their parents (χ2=26.4;p=0.01). Conclusions There are differences in reports of physical activities and sedentary behaviour between 7 to 10 year-old children and their parents The lowest level of agreement found for variable TV viewing indicates low awareness and control of this screen-based sedentary behaviour. Key messages Differences in parents’ and children’s reports of children’s physical activities and sedentary behaviour are confirmed. It should be taken into consideration in studies which use self-reports or proxy reports for assessing children’s physical activities and sedentary behaviour.