Contextualizing Parental/Familial Influence on Physical Activity in Adolescents before and during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Analysis

Barbara Gilic,Damir Sekulic,Marin Corluka,Ljerka Ostojic,Tomislav Volaric

doi:10.3390/children7090125

Barbara Gilic, Damir Sekulic + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/children7090125

Copy DOI

Abstract

Parental and familial factors influence numerous aspects of adolescents’ lives, including their physical activity level (PAL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in PAL which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to evaluate influence of sociodemographic and parental/familial factors on PAL levels before and during pandemic in adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sample included 688 adolescents (15–18 years of age; 322 females) who were tested on two occasions: in January 2020 (baseline; before the COVID-19 pandemic) and in April 2020 (follow-up; during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown). Variables included PAL (measured by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents–PAQ-A) as well as sociodemographic-, parental-, and familial factors. A significant decline in PALs was recorded between baseline and follow-up (t-test: 11.88, p < 0.001). Approximately 50% of adolescents underwent sufficient PAL at baseline, while only 24% of them were achieving sufficient PAL at the time of follow-up measurement. Paternal education was positively correlated (OR (95%CI): baseline: 6.63 (4.58–9.96), follow-up: 3.33 (1.19–7.01)), while familial conflict was negatively correlated (baseline: 0.72 (0.57–0.90), follow-up: 0.77 (0.60–0.99)) with PALs before and during the pandemic. This study highlights the importance of the parent–child relationship and parental/familiar support in promoting physical activity both during regular life and during crises and health challenging situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights

Physical activity is defined as any movement of the body that results in energy expenditure
This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of changes in physical activity level (PAL) among adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and to evaluate sociodemographic, and parental/familial factors which may influence PAL before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and imposed lockdown
The most important findings of this study are as follows: (i) PALs significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) paternal education was associated with PALs before and during the pandemic, and (iii) conflict with parents/family was a factor that decreased the PAL before and during the pandemic

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity is defined as any movement of the body that results in energy expenditure. It can be categorized as occupational, transportational, sports activity, household activities, and leisure-time activities [1]. Maintaining an adequate physical activity level (PAL) is essential for sustaining and improving metabolic, and psychological functions, as well as the overall health and life quality of a human being [2]. Physical activity has a positive influence on the immunological system and can decrease the incidence of communicable diseases such as bacterial and viral infections [3]. Due to technological advancement, physical activity in modern life has drastically reduced, directly contributing to the development of many non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity) [4]. The trend of PAL decline during aging is evident, with the greatest decrease evidenced

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion