Perceived Parental Values on Children's Moderate-to -Vigorous Physical Activity Participation in Hong Kong

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study intended to examine the nature of parental values towards children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity participation (MVPA). METHODS: Primary five and six children (N=142, Mean age=10.49) were recruited and completed self-reported questionnaires on sports values and MVPA. Whereas parents (N=83 mothers, Mean age=40.49; N=68 fathers, Mean age=45.01) responded to questionnaires assessing their values placed on their children's MVPA. RESULTS: Descriptive evidence suggested that both mothers and fathers regarded “physical activity” (Mean= 4.50; 4.41) and “having an active lifestyle” (Mean=4.52; 4.32) as important for their children. When comparing the relative importance of physical activity participation with other variables, all the three cohorts placed their values relatively higher on “studying” (Mean= 4.44), whereas both mothers and fathers perceived “playing video games” (Mean=1 .94; 1.81) and “watching television” (Mean=2.17; 1.85) as relatively less important. Results also showed that children, during a seven-day recall period, could only reach MVPA during “Physical Education lessons” (Mean= 3.01) while low physical activity ratings were identified in “recess” (Mean=1 .47), “before school” (Mean= 1.58) and “after school” (Mean= 1.80). Despite the low MVPA in children during weekdays (Mean= 1.86) and relatively higher (Mean= 2.46) in weekends, their physical activity participation is far below the public health objectives. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that parental values should be taken into consideration to better understand the psychosocial process underlying children's physical activity participation. Furthermore, Hong Kong, as one of the ever changing cities in the Chinese society, has its potential in further explaining the cultural differences on the effect of parental socialization in children's physical activity development.