Are grandchildren good for you? Well-being and health effects of becoming a grandparent

A within-subject examination of grandparents’ physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in the presence or absence of grandchild care provision

“…Combining our results with a suggestion made by a previous study, it may thus be plausible that grandparents replace their habitual SB levels with LIPA when providing care for their grandchildren [ 38 ]. Additionally, this was partially confirmed in previous research examining determinants influencing grandparents’ PA and SB levels while taking care for their grandchildren [ 39 ].…”

“…For example, one could extenuate and encourage the extension of parental leave arrangements to grandparents who are still active on the labor market and providing other (financial) incentives for already retired grandparents, allowing them to assist with child care. Existing policy responses include subsidizing child care provided by grandparents (as in the Netherlands), offering more flexible work schedules or adjusting retirement schemes [ 38 ]. Nevertheless, some family experts do not favor the option of too extensive child care provided by grandparents due to their potential negative influence such as isolation or developmental delays for the children themselves as they do not interact with other age-related peers [ 50 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, some family experts do not favor the option of too extensive child care provided by grandparents due to their potential negative influence such as isolation or developmental delays for the children themselves as they do not interact with other age-related peers [ 50 ]. Additionally, it should be noted that grandparents who provide daily care for their grandchildren may also experience adverse effects on their health due to the increased pressure and stress associated with these educational responsibilities [ 38 ]. As such, care moments which are too extensive, long and frequent may leave grandparents with little or no time to compensate for certain behaviors during the remainder of the day, resulting in lower MVPA levels across the day in its entirety which may indirectly affect their overall health [ 38 ].…”

“…Additionally, it should be noted that grandparents who provide daily care for their grandchildren may also experience adverse effects on their health due to the increased pressure and stress associated with these educational responsibilities [ 38 ]. As such, care moments which are too extensive, long and frequent may leave grandparents with little or no time to compensate for certain behaviors during the remainder of the day, resulting in lower MVPA levels across the day in its entirety which may indirectly affect their overall health [ 38 ]. Therefore, future research on the topic should investigate methods to promote grandparents’ (MV)PA levels while providing care for their grandchild(ren).…”

Determinants of caregiving grandparents’ physical activity and sedentary behavior: a qualitative study using focus group discussions

“…These particular life events all seem to affect one’s habitual daily structure [ 6 , 8 , 9 ], as well as to influence energy-expenditure related behaviors (i.e., levels of PA and SB) [ 8 ]. Less research has focused on the transition into grandparenthood, although the grandparent role is considered one of the most important roles in the life of middle-aged and older individuals [ 10 ]. Therefore, understanding the impact of such a life-course alteration in relation to healthy aging and its social and behavioral determinants is essential [ 1 , 11 ].…”