Abstract
Background: Family- and home-related factors have been shown to be associated with children’s physical activity (PA), but may be time-dependent. Here we investigate whether family- and home-related correlates of children’s PA are different for the after-school period on weekdays than for the weekend. Methods: Data on 21 family- and home-related variables and objectively measured PA (Actigraph GT1M) were available from 1608 Year 5 children (9–10 years old) from 92 schools in Norfolk participating in the SPEEDY (Sport, Physical activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people) study. Multi-level multiple linear regression was used to quantify cross-sectional associations between the family/home variables and average min per day of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, ≥2000 counts/min) after school on weekdays and at the weekend. Models were additionally adjusted for age, sex, BMI z-score and registered accelerometer wear time. Results: After-school MVPA was associated with parent education (ß: −1.1; 95% CI −2.0 to −0.2), being allowed to play out in the neighbourhood (ß: 1.3; 0.7–1.8), restrictions on walking/cycling to friends’ houses (ß: −1.1; −1.6 to −0.7), restrictions on sedentary behaviour (ß: −0.3; −0.5 to −0.02) and family social support (ß: 1.0; 0.7–1.3). Weekend MVPA was associated with number of siblings (ß: 2.6; 0.5–4.8), family encouragement (ß: 1.1; 0.2–2.0) and family social support (ß: 1.5; 0.5–2.5). Conclusion: Family social support is positively associated with children’s out-of-school PA both at weekdays and in weekends. However, rules and restrictions appear to be important only on weekdays. The results of this study merit consideration when identifying appropriate timing of PA-promotion strategies.
Highlights
Physical activity in childhood and adolescence has been associated with a range of health benefits including the prevention of obesity, improvements in bone mineral density, a reduction in metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk factors and positive effects on mental health.[1,2,3,4,5] Promoting physical activity is a key focus of public health policy in developed countries.[6,7] To aid intervention development, it is important to understand the factors that influence children’s physical activity
A total of 1608 (77.9%) participants had at least 3 valid days of physical activity data including a weekend day as well as a completed parent questionnaire and formed the sample for the analyses presented here
There was a negative association with parent education for after-school moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) that was not apparent at the weekend while having siblings was associated with doing more physical activity at the weekend but not after school
Summary
Physical activity in childhood and adolescence has been associated with a range of health benefits including the prevention of obesity, improvements in bone mineral density, a reduction in metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk factors and positive effects on mental health.[1,2,3,4,5] Promoting physical activity is a key focus of public health policy in developed countries.[6,7] To aid intervention development, it is important to understand the factors that influence children’s physical activity. Family- and home-related factors have been shown to be associated with children’s physical activity (PA), but may be time-dependent. Methods: Data on 21 family- and home-related variables and objectively measured PA (Actigraph GT1M) were available from 1608 Year 5 children (9–10 years old) from 92 schools in Norfolk participating in the SPEEDY (Sport, Physical activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people) study. Results: After-school MVPA was associated with parent education (ß: À1.1; 95% CI À2.0 to À0.2), being allowed to play out in the neighbourhood (ß: 1.3; 0.7–1.8), restrictions on walking/cycling to friends’ houses (ß: À1.1; À1.6 to À0.7), restrictions on sedentary behaviour (ß: À0.3; À0.5 to À0.02) and family social support (ß: 1.0; 0.7–1.3). Conclusion: Family social support is positively associated with children’s out-of-school PA both at weekdays and in weekends. The results of this study merit consideration when identifying appropriate timing of PA-promotion strategies
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