Parental Support For Physical Activity Research Articles

Ecological correlates of activity-related behavior typologies among adolescents

BackgroundAdolescents engage in various combinations (typologies) of physical activity and sedentary behaviors, which impact their health and wellbeing in different ways. As such, there is a need to understand the factors that may inhibit or facilitate engagement in combinations of activity-related behaviors to help inform effective intervention strategies targeting those most in need. The aim of this study was to identify ecological correlates of adolescent physical activity and sedentary behavior typologies.MethodsCross-sectional study of 473 adolescents (15.0 ± 1.6 years, 41.4% boys) from 18 secondary schools in Melbourne, Australia. Intrapersonal, interpersonal and neighborhood-physical environmental factors were assessed via self-report surveys and Geographic Information Systems. Multinomial logistic regression models determined the relative risk ratio of membership of three homogenous activity-related behavior typologies based on the potential correlates.ResultsHigher levels of self-efficacy for physical activity, parental screen-time restriction rules, parental support for physical activity, sibling screen-time co-participation and perceptions of neighborhood pedestrian/traffic safety were associated with greater likelihood of adolescents being in the typology defined as highly active and low sedentary compared to the physically inactive, highly sedentary typology. Higher frequency of co-participation in screen-time with friends was associated with greater likelihood of adolescents being in the typology defined as moderately active, high screen-time compared to physically inactive, highly sedentary.ConclusionsA range of intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental correlates appear to play a role in adolescent activity-related typology membership. The findings may inform public health interventions targeting unique adolescent subgroups most at risk of poor health outcomes based on their engagement in combinations of activity-related behaviors.

Addressing Risk Factors for Non-communicable Diseases in Adolescents: A Study of Physical Activity Among Male Students in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria (P04-183-19)

ObjectivesPhysical inactivity has been associated with the rising incidence of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in developing countries, and has thus become a cause for global concern. There is documented evidence of an increase in physical inactivity, sedentary behaviours and other risk factors among male adolescents. This study therefore determined the physical activity (PA) pattern and its associated factors among in-school male adolescents in Sagamu, southwest Nigeria MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among 330 in-school male adolescents in Sagamu, southwest Nigeria, selected via multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire, measuring tape, weighing scale as well as a standiometer and analyzed using IBM SPSS 20.0. PA was determined using WHO criteria. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated, with P < 0.05. Participation was fully voluntary and strict confidentiality was ensured ResultsMean age and physical activity time of respondents were 15.9 ± 1.4years and 418.43 ± 133.34 minutes respectively. About 83% were sufficiently active, out of which 82.7% and 78.6% participated in vigorous and moderate activities respectively. PA was associated with the level of study (P = 0.012), knowledge (P = < 0.001), meal pattern (P = < 0.001), parental support for PA (P = 0.017). Moderate physical activity was associated with the year of study (P = 0.004), PA knowledge (P = 0.002), meal pattern (P = 0.004), parental support (P = 0.022), and socioeconomic status (P = 0.041). BMI was not associated with PA (P = 0.535). ConclusionsThe prevalence of PA was high among respondents and all associated factors were modifiable. The factors associated with PA need to be promoted in order to minimize the occurrence of lifestyle related diseases among adolescents Funding Sourcesself.

Parental and peer social support is associated with healthier physical activity behaviors in adolescents: a cross-sectional analysis of Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition (TX SPAN) data

BackgroundParental and peer support can influence children’s physical activity; however, these associations have not been fully examined in a multi-ethnic population across early and late adolescence. The objective of this study was to examine associations between perceived parental/peer social support, perceived parental disapproval for not exercising, and physical activity/screen time behaviors among a multi-ethnic sample of adolescents.MethodsThe Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition (TX SPAN) survey is a cross-sectional statewide probability-based survey, used to assess obesity-related behaviors such as diet and physical activity. The SPAN 2009–2011 study measured 8th and 11th grade students using a self-report questionnaire with established psychometric properties, along with objectively measured height and weight. Associations were examined using multiple logistic and linear regression.ResultsFor every 1-point increase in parental physical activity support, adolescents had 1.14 higher odds of engaging in five or more days of moderate physical activity per week (p < 0.001), and 1.12 higher odds of engaging in three or more days of vigorous physical activity per week (p < 0.001). For every 1-point increase in peer physical activity support, adolescents had 1.17 higher odds of engaging in five or more days of moderate physical activity per week (p < 0.001), and 1.15 higher odds of engaging in three or more days of vigorous physical activity per week (p < 0.001).ConclusionsParental and peer social support is associated with positive physical activity behaviors in adolescents. Strategies to focus on parent and peer support should be integral to intervention programs designed to increase physical activity in adolescents in middle and high schools.

Moderating effect of the neighbourhood physical activity environment on the relation between psychosocial factors and physical activity in children: a longitudinal study

BackgroundFew studies have examined the moderating role of neighbourhood environments on the relation between psychosocial factors and physical activity, and results of these studies are mixed. This study examined this...

Change in Children's Physical Activity: Predictors in the Transition From Elementary to Middle School

Interventions to promote physical activity in children should be informed by knowledge of the factors that influence physical activity behavior during critical developmental transitions. The purpose of this study is to identify, from a comprehensive, multidomain set of factors, those that are associated with change in objectively measured physical activity in children as they transition from elementary to middle school. The study used a prospective cohort design, with children observed in fifth, sixth, and seventh grades. Growth curve analyses were used to examine associations between exposure variables measured at baseline and children's physical activity across three observations. A total of 828 children, aged 10.6 (SD=0.5) years at baseline provided physical activity data in fifth grade and at one or both follow-ups. Exposure variables assessed child characteristics, parent characteristics, home characteristics, social factors, school environment, and community characteristics. Physical activity was measured via accelerometry. Data were collected in two school districts in South Carolina in 2010-2013 and analyzed in 2017. Variables measured within the child, parent/home, and community domains were positively associated with children's physical activity as they transitioned from fifth to seventh grade. These included parent encouragement of physical activity, parental support for physical activity, child sports participation, parent's report of the child's physical activity level, the child's time spent outdoors, social spaces for physical activity in the community, and the number of physical activity facilities that were proximal to the child's home. Interventions designed to increase children's physical activity should include strategies that target multiple domains of influence.

Predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors for physical activity in boys and girls from socially disadvantaged communities

Objective: This study investigated relative associations between physical activity and selected predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors among 9- to 10-year-old children from socially disadvantaged communities and examined the extent to which these associations varied by sex. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: Ten public primary schools in Liverpool, England. Methods: A total of 194 children (107 girls) completed measures of stature, body mass, waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness. Physical activity, physical activity self-efficacy, perceived physical competence and parental physical activity support were self-reported. Sex-specific associations were examined by multiple linear regression and mediator analyses using bootstrapping method. Results: Boys’ physical activity was positively associated with parental physical activity support and perceived physical competence ( p &lt; .01), whereas girls’ physical activity was positively associated with parental physical activity support and physical activity self-efficacy ( p &lt; .01). Sex-specific mediation analyses revealed that perceived physical competence and physical activity self-efficacy partially mediated the association between parental physical activity support and boys’ and girls’ physical activity, respectively. Conclusion: As parents influence child physical activity directly and indirectly their involvement in future child physical activity intervention programmes is essential. Formative research with parents living in socially disadvantaged communities is warranted to explore the range and interaction of challenges they face to support different modes of physical activity participation for their children.

Physiological characteristics, self-perceptions, and parental support of physical activity in children with, or at risk of, developmental coordination disorder

Children with low movement proficiency have been identified as having poorer physiological and psychosocial outcomes; however, the varied measurement approaches used to assess these outcomes have varied resulting in conflicting evidence regarding the presence and magnitude of differences compared to Typically Developing (TD) children. Additionally, there has been limited research into the role of parental support for physical activity (PA) in this group. We compared children with varying levels of movement proficiency on physiological characteristics and self-perceptions regarding PA. In addition, these children’s parents were compared on physiological characteristics and support of their children’s PA. Children (N = 117) aged 6 to 12 years, along with their parent/guardian, participated in this study. Children were classified according to the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 test (Typically Developing (TD) = 60; At Risk = 19; Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) = 38). Children’s PA, muscle strength, cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF), body composition, and self-perceptions regarding PA were assessed, with parents assessed on CRF, body composition, and PA support. Compared to TD children, children with DCD had lower PA (p = 0.036), predilection (p ≤0.001) and adequacy (p ≤0.001) regarding PA, higher body fat percentage (p = 0.019), and received less logistic support (i.e., transportation) from their parents (p = 0.012). TD children had increased muscle strength compared to the DCD (p ≤ 0.001) and At Risk (p ≤ 0.001) groups. Results indicated that, relative to TD children, children with DCD have multiple physiological deficits, receive less parental logistic support for PA involvement, and report lower scores on psychological constructs that are predictive of PA involvement.

Subjectively and objectively assessed social and physical environmental correlates of preschoolers\u2019 accelerometer-based physical activity

BackgroundOverweight and low levels of physical activity (PA) in preschoolers are major public health concerns. However, to date only few studies have investigated subjective and objective correlates of PA across different socioecological domains in preschoolers. We therefore simultaneously investigate associations between preschoolers’ objectively measured leisure-time PA and a comprehensive set of subjective and objective potential PA correlates across the behavioral, social and physical environmental domains on both family- and community-level.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA (TPA) were measured by combined accelerometry and heart rate monitoring in 735 3–6 year-old children from 52 preschools in Southern Germany. Family- and community-level potential correlates of PA from different domains (behavioral, social and physical environmental) were subjectively (i.e. by parent proxy-report) and objectively assessed. Their associations with PA on weekend days and weekday afternoons were tested by covariate-adjusted multilevel regression models.ResultsWhile none of the objective social and physical environmental factors showed associations with PA, subjective parental traffic safety perceptions were positively associated with MVPA and TPA on weekends. Also, preschoolers’ participation in organized sports was positively correlated with MVPA (on weekends) and TPA (both on weekends and weekday afternoons).ConclusionSubjective traffic safety perceptions and participation in organized sports, an indicator and a result of parental support towards PA – i.e. subjective parental perceptions of environmental factors and family-level correlates which are more proximal to preschoolers - might be more central to PA in preschool age than objectively assessed community-level environmental features which tend to be more distal correlates. If replicable, targeting parental perceptions of environmental factors and parental support for PA in preschool age might be powerful leverages for public health policy.

The Relationship Between Parental and Child Physical Activity in a Rural Community.

This study examined the relationship between parental and child physical activity (PA) in a rural community. Forty-one children and at least 1 parent wore pedometers to measure step count over the course of 4 days. Parents also completed a PA survey assessing parental support for PA, parental enjoyment for PA, perceived importance of PA, and their own PA levels. Parental PA level and mothers' support for PA were moderately associated with their child's PA levels. Thus, future PA promotion efforts could focus on encouraging parents, primarily mothers, to be more active to help improve their child's PA levels.

In Search of Consistent Predictors of Children's Physical Activity.

Physical activity is pivotal for children’s health and well-being, yet participation declines across teenage years. Efforts to increase physical activity need to be strengthened to combat this, however, evidence for the design and planning of physical activity promotion in children is lacking. The aim was to identify predictors of physical activity that were relatively consistent across three different measures of physical activity, in pre- and early adolescent South Australians. This is the first study to compare correlates of physical activity across three measures of physical activity in a single sample, in this age group. Children (n = 324) aged 9–13 years and their parents were surveyed on personal, interpersonal and environmental correlates of physical activity. Child physical activity was objectively measured using pedometers (7 days). Self-reported physical activity was determined from organised sport participation and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Regression models were used to identify consistent predictors of three physical activity measures. Consistent predictors across multiple physical activity measures were: parent support for physical activity, having appropriate clothing for sport, enjoyment of physical activity and perceived availability of sporting clubs. These predictors identify potential avenues for directing intervention efforts to increase physical activity in early adolescents.

Associations between parental support for physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Chinese school children: A cross-sectional study

PurposeThe objective of this study was to examine the associations between parental support for physical activity (PA) and levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among Chinese school children. MethodsStudy participants were 81,857 school-aged children (aged 9–17 years; mean age = 13 years; 49.0% boys) and their parents or guardians who took part in the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study project. The independent variables included various forms of parental support for PA ascertained through a survey completed by parents or guardians. The dependent variable was the children's average MVPA in minutes per day by self-report. Structure equation modeling was used to examine the associations between parental support for PA and children's MVPA minutes. ResultsThe overall mean for MVPA participation time for the child participants was 48.82 ± 28.71 min/day. Significant associations between various forms of parental support and MVPA among children were found. Parental encouragement, accompanying, financial support, involvement, and role modeling for PA were positively associated with a high level of student MVPA participation. Parental PA knowledge-sharing was not associated with MVPA. The patterns of the associations were similar across sex, residence locale (i.e., urban and rural), and school grades (primary, junior middle, and junior high schools). ConclusionFindings from this study suggest that, among Chinese school children, parental support for PA is important in promoting and facilitating children's participation in MVPA.

Temperament and Physical Activity in Childhood.

Temperament activity level can serve as a proxy for nondeliberate activity and an important part of overall energy expenditure. However, little is known about any association between temperament activity level and children's levels of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity. We examined whether temperament activity level in young children is associated with moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity later in childhood and midadolescence. We also assessed if parenting behaviors moderate any association. Data were obtained from 799 children and their mothers involved in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Growth curve analyses were used to examine the relationships over time, controlling for child and parent characteristics. High temperament activity level at age4.5 was associated with higher moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity at age 9 (β = 5.15; SE =2.47; P < .001). The association became no longer significant after 10.2 years of age. The association was moderated by parental support for physical activity (β = -2.56; SE = 1.01; P = .01). Low temperament activity level in early childhood was a risk factor for low physical activity in later childhood and adolescence. Parental support for physical activity may be beneficial for children whose temperament activity level is low.

Motivating parent support for physical activity: the role of framed persuasive messages.

Parent support for physical activity (PA) is a behavior unto itself that requires motivation. Persuasive messages may be one method for motivating parent support for their children's PA. Message framing is one strategy for optimizing the impact of messages. The current study examined the relative effectiveness of gain- versus loss-framed messages for encouraging parent support for children's PA. Regardless of message frame, parents had an increase in social cognitive antecedents (e.g. perceived behavioral control, intentions) and support for children's PA following message exposure.

Parenting Practices and Children's Physical Activity: An Integrative Review.

The purpose of this integrative review was to analyze the state of science concerning the influence of parenting practices on children's physical activity (PA) levels. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria after full-text review. The body of research is limited in experimental designs with only three studies measuring the influence of the intervention on parenting practices. Seven of the 30 quantitative studies (23.3%) found significant associations between parental role modeling of PA and children's PA levels. Seven of the eight (87.5%) qualitative studies identified parental role modeling of PA as important in promoting children's PA. Sixteen of the 30 (53.3%) quantitative studies found that parental support of PA was significantly associated with children's PA. Five of the eight (62.5%) qualitative studies identified logistic support as supporting PA in children. The science could be expanded by the development of randomized controlled trials aimed at this area.

Parent Support for Children’s Physical Activity: A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers and Strategies

ABSTRACTPurpose: Parents play an important role in supporting children’s physical activity (PA) behavior. Parent PA support is a behavior unto itself that has been examined within the framework of an adapted theory of planned behavior (TPB). The primary purpose of this research was to identify key barriers to parent PA support to understand perceptions of control in relation to parent PA support. The second purpose of this research was to identify potential strategies to enhance parent PA support via enhanced perceived behavioral control. Method: Focus groups were conducted with parents (N = 21) of children aged 5 to 11 years old. A deductive content analysis was employed to analyze the data guided by an adapted TPB. Results: Themes related to barriers included parents’ motivation, affective experiences in providing PA support, and control factors (e.g., cost, time, safety concerns, screen). Themes related to potential strategies included opportunities for participation and improved affective experiences for parents, community parenting, and self-regulatory strategies. Conclusion: The identification of specific barriers to parent PA support can guide the development of interventions to facilitate parent PA support. Informational, programming, and self-regulatory training interventions may be useful in enhancing parent support.

A pilot study exploring the use of a telephone-assisted planning intervention to promote parental support for physical activity among children and youth with disabilities

Parent support is an important contributor to physical activity (PA) among children and youth with disabilities (CYD). Although many parents of CYD are motivated to provide parent PA support, CYD remain insufficiently active. The multi-process action control model has been applied to understand parent PA support and highlights behavioral regulation strategies such as action and coping planning as critical for translating intentions into behavior. Parents may struggle to create and carryout planning without support. There is no known research examining telephone support as a tool to promote planning and subsequent parent PA support behavior. MethodParents (43 mothers and 6 fathers) of CYD (child Mage = 12.53 years ± 5.53; 75% male; 38.6% developmental disability) completed a baseline questionnaire and were subsequently randomized to a telephone-assisted planning experimental group twice over four weeks (n = 23) or a control group who had access to planning tools but no telephone assistance (n = 26). ResultsNo significant main or interaction effects emerged for parent PA support behavior. However, a significant time × condition interaction was found for behavioral regulation strategies (i.e., action and coping planning and self-monitoring; F(1,44) = 5.05, p = 0.03) indicating a significant increase in the use of behavioral regulation strategies for parent PA support from baseline, for parents assigned to the telephone-assisted intervention. ConclusionThese findings suggest potential for planning support as a tool to enhance behavioral regulation strategies related to parent PA support among parents of CYD.

Parental Support for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Chinese Schoolchildren

Physical activity is essential for the development of children and adolescents. Among different social and environmental factors, parental support plays important role on influencing young people’s physical activity. However, the associations between different kinds of parental support and physical activity among Chinese children and adolescents have not been explored thoroughly with a large size of samples. PURPOSE: To explore the roles of different kinds of parental support (encouragement, accompany, financial support and model) on influencing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SED) among Chinese school-aged children. METHODS: The data used in analyses derived from the Physical Activity and Health of Children and Adolescents Survey 2015 in Shanghai, China. 78516 students (grade 1-12) from all 17 districts of Shanghai, representing 5% of the population of schoolchildren, were randomly selected to participate in the self-report questionnaire survey. Finally, the present study contains 61429 participants (girl 49.3%, mean age 11.77 years). Descriptive statistics and logistical regression were used to examine the associations between MVPA, SED and various kinds of parental support by gender. RESULTS: Compared to the low parental support groups, young people in high encouragement, accompany, financial support, and model (the highest among four factors) (boy: OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.52-1.69; girl: OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.54-1.73) groups are more likely to being at least 1h MVPA daily. On the contrary, compared to the high parental support groups, young people in low accompany and model groups are more likely to being at least 2h SED daily during both weekdays and weekend. CONCLUSIONS: Various kinds of parental support have influence in schoolchildren for them to be physically active regardless the gender. Parents as the model and parental accompany have the biggest influence for youth being active. This study suggests that efforts should be focused on parents and their behavior when design and implement interventions aiming to promote young people’s physical activity. Supported by Shanghai Shuguang Program (14SG46), Shanghai Pujiang Program (16PJC075), and Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (16080503400).

What is the relationship between parental support, self-efficacy and physical activity in young students? A pilot cross-sectional study

This study examined the relationships between parental support for physical activity, weekly Physical Activity (PA) practice frequency, and self-efficacy expectations to overcome barriers to participation. A total of 335 adolescents took part in this pilot cross-sectional study. The results show that boys and girls who attribute parents to a high level of instrumental support, modeling and behavioral limitation are allocated to higher number of days per week to perform the physical-sport activity during a minimum interval of sixty minutes and were more self-efficacious in their practice. Likewise, the frequency of practice of the activity and self-efficacy were higher in the case of boys.

Biological Maturation and Physical Activity in South Korean Adolescent Girls.

To examine whether body fatness (i.e., body mass index and percent body fat) and psychosocial correlates of physical activity (PA) mediate the relationships between pubertal status and PA and sedentary behavior (SB) among South Korean adolescent girls. Pubertal status, body fatness, sport competence, perceived barriers to PA, self-efficacy, parental support for PA, self-reported and step-determined PA, and self-reported SB were assessed among 236 South Korean adolescent girls (mean age = 13.56 ± 1.2 yr). A direct association was identified between pubertal status and PA in all models; more advanced pubertal status predicted lower PA among South Korean adolescents (b = -0.51 to -0.57; P < 0.001). Indirect effects on the pubertal status-PA relationship were also found: body fatness, perceived barriers to PA, and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between pubertal status and PA. Parental support for PA did not moderate the relationship between maturation and PA. SB was not associated with pubertal status. This study found mediated effects of body fatness, and psychosocial correlates (i.e., perceived barriers to PA, self-efficacy) on the relationship between maturity and PA among South Korean adolescent girls. Efforts to promote PA among South Korean adolescent girls should focus on reducing perceived barriers to PA, and increasing self-efficacy by providing more opportunities to have positive, and enjoyable experiences in PA among early-maturing girls.

Adolescent obesity in contextual settings: a scoping study of multilevel and hierarchical examinations.

Multilevel/hierarchical obesity studies analyze adolescent and family, neighbourhood and social settings' characteristics to generate data needed to design prevention interventions. This scoping study summarizes such studies' characteristics and key findings to provide information to decision makers, which allows them to quickly grasp the state of the evidence and potential policy implications for adolescent obesity prevention. PubMed, CINAHLplus, PsychINFO and Sociological Abstracts were searched for peer-reviewed studies spanning 1 January 2000-31 August 2014. Inclusion criteria included (i) outcome weight status, physical activity and weight status, or physical activity alone if the aim was obesity prevention; (ii) 12- to 19-year-old participants in a cross-sectional study, a separate analysis in a cross-sectional study or a longitudinal follow-up. Nineteen studies were published in the United States of America; four in Canada; two in Spain, China and Vietnam, respectively; and one in Germany. Self-efficacy, parental physical activity support, perceived neighbourhood support, social cohesion and access to recreational facilities were associated with increased activity levels; neighbourhood physical disorder and perceived lack of safety associated with reduced physical activity levels. Overweight or obesity was associated with sugar-sweetened beverage intake and household availability thereof; reduced odds were reported with fruit and vegetable intake and household availability of these, daily breakfast and family meal frequency. Potential adolescent obesity risk regulators may be found at the individual, family or social contextual levels.