Abstract
BackgroundResearch suggests physical activity is linked to obesity. Further, the physical activity of healthy parents and their children is associated with each other. However, this relationship has not been examined in obese parents and their obese children.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity and sedentary time of obese, low-income, ethnic minority parents and their children on weekdays and weekend days using accelerometry. Data were obtained from eight rural sites in the middle and eastern part of North Carolina (N.C.), United States (U.S.) from 2007-2010 using a rolling enrollment. One hundred and ninety-nine obese parents (94 % female) and their obese children (54 % female) wore accelerometers simultaneously for three weekdays and one weekend day. Total physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time and proportions were determined.ResultsParents’ and children’s total physical activity and MVPA levels were lower on weekend days than weekdays. Total counts per minute for children on weekdays and weekend days were greater than for parents (p < 0.001). Total counts per minute were more highly correlated on weekend days than weekdays (r = 0.352, p < 0.0002 versus r = 0.165, p < 0.025). Parents’ performed MVPA for 14 (SD = ±25) and 9 (SD = ±16) minutes/day on weekdays and weekend days, respectively; children performed MVPA for 37 (SD = ±25) and 31(SD = ±38) minutes/day for weekdays and weekend days, respectively. Correlations between parents and children for MVPA were higher on weekend days versus weekdays (r = 0.253 and 0.177, respectively; p < 0.015). Associations for sedentary time followed a similar trend, with r = 0.33 (p < 0.0002) for weekend days and r = 0.016 (p < 0.026) for weekdays. Associations between obese parent-child dyads on sedentary time were stronger for girls, while associations between dyads on MVPA were stronger for boys. However, formal interaction analyses were not significant (p > 0.13).DiscussionSince physical activity levels of obese parents and their obese child are somewhat related, especially on weekend days, combined parent-child obesity programs focused on reducing sedentary time could be beneficial, particularly for the child.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study of the physical activity levels of obese parents and their obese children found some relationships between the parents’ and children’s physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns, especially on weekend days.Trial registration NCT01378806.
Highlights
Research suggests physical activity is linked to obesity
A total of 358 obese parents and 358 obese children were enrolled in the study; complete baseline accelerometry data were available on 199 parent-child dyads: 187 dyads (52 %) for weekdays and 109 dyads (30 %) for weekend days
Several dyads were not included in the analyses because the parent was a night-shift worker (n = 22) and others were eliminated because of incomplete accelerometry data (n = 137)
Summary
The physical activity of healthy parents and their children is associated with each other. This relationship has not been examined in obese parents and their obese children. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults and children has increased dramatically over the past three decades. Global obesity continues to rise; 39 % of adults over the age of 18 years were overweight and 13 % were obese in 2014 [1]. 42 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight or obese in 2013 [1]. 18 % of U.S children and adolescents (6-19 years) are overweight and 17 % are obese [2]. Obese parents are more likely to have obese children [3] and children who are overweight are more likely to be overweight or obese when they reach adulthood [2]
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