Parental behavior in relation to physical activity and fitness in 9-year-old children
J. F. Sallis, J. E. Alcaraz, T. L. McKenzie, M. F. Hovell, B. Kolody and P. R. Nader
Department of Psychology, San Diego, State University, CA 92120-4913.
OBJECTIVE--To examine the relationship between parental behaviors and
physical activity and fitness in elementary school-aged children.
DESIGN--Cross-sectional survey of students and parents. SETTING--Seven
public elementary schools in a suburban southern California city.
PARTICIPANTS--One hundred forty-eight fourth-grade girls and 149
fourth-grade boys and their parents. Eighty-four percent were white.
INTERVENTIONS--None. MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS--Children's physical
activity was indicated by self-report, data obtained from a monitor
(accelerometer), and results of the mile run/walk. Multiple regression
analysis, controlling for ethnicity and body mass index, was conducted
separately for girls and boys to explain variation in child activity and
fitness. Parents' reported physical activity was not associated with child
activity or fitness. However, availability of transportation by parents to
sport and fitness activities was significant (or nearly so) in two
regressions for boys and in one regression for girls. Parents who played
with their children had more active boys, based on self-report, but verbal
encouragement to be active was not significant in any model.
CONCLUSION--The parental role as gatekeeper of access to activity and sport
facilities deserves further study.
