In Search of Consistent Predictors of Children’s Physical Activity

Abstract

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.

Association between potential parental and peers' correlates and physical activity recommendations compliance among 13-16 years old adolescents

“…This finding is in line with substantial scientific evidence -30 from 35 studies found that children's PA is associated with PA of their friends -suggesting that individuals may be guided by their friends' behaviour (Maturo & Cunningham, 2013). As conclude Best, Ball, Zarnowiecki, Stanley, and Dollman (2017), peers influence children's PA most consistently through encouragement and positive modelling. Having peers that promote PA involvement and the perception that one's peers are open to PA were found to be linked with efficacious beliefs of one's ability to overcome potential barriers to participating in PA (Fitzgerald et al, 2012).…”

Factors associated with physical activity levels in late adolescence: a prospective study

“…Although most of the negative health effects connected with low PAL develop later in life, lifelong patterns related to health behavior are established during childhood and adolescence [3]. Therefore, the promotion of reaching an appropriate PAL should begin at an early age [4]. For this reason, there is growing interest in research focusing on factors associated with PAL in different periods of life, and one of the promising approaches is the identification of the factors associated with "changes in PAL" over a certain period of time [5,6].…”

Test–Retest Reliability of a Questionnaire on Motives for Physical Activity among Adolescents

“…Our findings are in line with previous studies based on the self-determination theory [ 12 ]. In addition, previous studies showed that other extrinsic factors also had an important role, e.g., neighbourhood and environment [ 37 ], classmate and teacher support during physical education lessons [ 38 , 39 ] and support by family and peers [ 40 , 41 ].…”