The influence of socioeconomic position and parental rules on sedentary behaviour in preschool children

Abstract

A sample of 1403 participants (674 females and 729 males) was available for analysis. Data for BMI, physical fitness and activity, sedentary behaviour, socioeconomic status, motor competence, diet, self concept, and the school environment were used to develop exploratory structural equation models (AMOS, SPSS) at 6, 8, 10 and 14 years. The interrelationships between physical activity and sedentary behaviours changed across models at 6 years ( 2 (df = 22) = 25.036, p = .295), 8 years ( 2 (df = 32) = 33.326, p = .403), 10 years ( 2 (df = 40) = 47.820, p = .185) and 14 years ( 2 (df = 57) = 59.487, p = .385), withmotor competence becoming important at adolescence. The relationship between screen time and physical activity as predictors of BMI was complex, and changed between 6, 8, and 10 years. By 14 years of age motor competency, aerobic fitness and physical activity were highly interrelated and together predicted BMI. These exploratory analyses also identified that diet, the school environment, self-concept, and the valuing of physical activity were not important for BMI. Significant differences in pathways were also found between males and females. For example, the pathway between income and screen time was significant for males, but not females at age 14 years. Interrelationships among obesogenic factors are complex, dynamic and individualised. Their influence on BMI operates in both direct and indirect ways and changes with age between 6 and 14 years. Interventions for obesity must consider age and gender specific differences in pathways and mechanisms.