Abstract
Parental/familial factors are important determinants of the physical activity level (PAL) in children and adolescents, but studies rarely prospectively evaluate their relationships. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in physical activity levels among adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina over a two-year period and to determine parental/familial predictors of PAL in early adolescence. A total of 651 participants (50.3% females) were tested at baseline (beginning of high school education; 14 years old on average) and at follow-up (approximately 20 months later). The predictors included sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender) and parental/familial factors (socioeconomic status of the family, maternal and paternal education, conflict with parents, parental absence from home, parental questioning, and parental monitoring). Physical activity levels were evidenced by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A; criterion). Boys were more active than girls, both at baseline (t-test = 3.09, p < 0.001) and at follow-up (t-test = 3.4, p < 0.001). Physical activity level decreased over the observed two-year period (t-test = 16.89, p < 0.001), especially in boys, which is probably a consequence of drop-out from the sport in this period. Logistic regression evidenced parental education as a positive predictor of physical activity level at baseline (OR [95% CI]; 1.38 [1.15–170], 1.35 [1.10–1.65]), and at follow-up (1.35 [1.11–1.69], 1.29 [1.09–1.59], for maternal and paternal education, respectively). Parents with a higher level of education are probably more informed about the importance of physical activity on health status, and thus transfer this information to their children as well. The age from 14 to 16 years is likely a critical period for maintaining physical activity levels in boys, while further studies of a younger age are necessary to evaluate the dynamics of changes in physical activity levels for girls. For maintaining physical activity levels in adolescence, special attention should be paid to children whose parents are less educated, and to inform them of the benefits of an appropriate physical activity level and its necessity for maintaining proper health and growth.
Highlights
Physical activity (PA) represents an important segment of physical and mental health status [1,2,3].Irrespective of the importance of PA in all periods of life, reaching the appropriate PA level (PAL) is important in childhood and adolescence, since regular PA is essential for healthy growth and development during this life period for a number of reasons
Parental monitoring was lower in adolescents with insufficient PAL at baseline (MW Mann Whintey test = 2.12, p = 0.03)
A sufficient PAL at baseline was found in children whose fathers and mothers were better educated (MW = 2.74, p < 0.01 and Mann–Whitney test (MW) = 3.3, p < 0.001 for paternal and maternal education, respectively)
Summary
Physical activity (PA) represents an important segment of physical and mental health status [1,2,3].Irrespective of the importance of PA in all periods of life, reaching the appropriate PA level (PAL) is important in childhood and adolescence, since regular PA is essential for healthy growth and development during this life period for a number of reasons. Young people with high PALs are less prone to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, control their weight better, maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system and respiratory capacities, and experience mental health benefits (i.e., self-confidence and reduced likelihood of depression) and have a higher level of self-perceived health status [4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. A decreased PAL in adolescence can cause chronic health problems (e.g., cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases) and obesity at a later age [12,13]. Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 60 min a day of moderate-to-vigorous PA for children and adolescents aged 5–17 years [14].
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