Involving Parents to Help Improve Children’s Energy Balance-Related Behaviours Through a School-Based Intervention

Abstract

<jats:p>The Challenge Me intervention aimed to indirectly involve parents in a school-based intervention, by challenging primary school children to perform physical activity (PA) and nutrition-related activities with their parents. The aim of this study is to gain insight in whether this was a feasible strategy to engage children and parents, especially those of vulnerable populations. An exploratory cross-sectional study design was applied. Four primary schools implemented the intervention. Data consisted of challenges completed (intervention posters) and child and family characteristics (questionnaires and anthropometric measurements). Associations between challenges performed and child and family characteristics were assessed using linear regression analysis. Of the 226 study participants, 100% performed at least one challenge, and 93% performed at least one challenge involving parents. Children who performed more PA challenges were often younger, a sports club member, lived in higher socioeconomic status neighbourhoods, of Western ethnicity and from larger families. Regarding nutrition challenges involving parents, younger children performed more challenges. There was no difference in intervention engagement regarding gender, weight status, PA preference, healthy nutrition preference, or the Family PA and Family Nutrition Climate. Challenge Me has potential in involving parents in a school-based intervention. However, certain characteristics were associated with higher involvement.</jats:p>

Influence of parental involvement and parenting styles in children’s active lifestyle: a systematic review

“…Figure 2 and Table 3 summarize the results obtained. In general, direct parental involvement through modeling ( Alia et al, 2013 ; Sterret et al, 2013 ), the participation of parents and children together in sports ( Lev et al, 2020 ; Yazeedi et al, 2021 ), and the indirect participation in PA (advice sheets making or newsletters) ( Verhees et al, 2020 ) may promote active lifestyles. It is usual that when PS raises children with parental support ( Yaffe, 2018 ) and affection ( Huffman et al, 2018 ), adequate levels of PA practice are registered.…”

“… Lev et al (2020) found that parents who exercised with their children helped perceive greater enjoyment during PA and, consequently, the children’s participation in it increased. Verhees et al (2020) found another way of involving parents in their children’s active lifestyles: indirect involvement. The indirect parental involvement in the PA of their children is carried out through the preparation of tip sheets or support bulletins and causes an increase in participation in it Verhees et al (2020) .…”

“… Verhees et al (2020) found another way of involving parents in their children’s active lifestyles: indirect involvement. The indirect parental involvement in the PA of their children is carried out through the preparation of tip sheets or support bulletins and causes an increase in participation in it Verhees et al (2020) . This last type of parental involvement allows parents with an intense working day to be aware of their children’s habits.…”

“…These results are consistent with what was stipulated by Lev et al (2020) , who establish that parents who exercise with their children encourage them to perceive greater enjoyment during PA (and increase their participation in it). Verhees et al (2020) allude to another alternative to parental involvement, which is indirect involvement. This can be done by preparing sheets or support newsletters from mothers and fathers.…”

“…This can be done by preparing sheets or support newsletters from mothers and fathers. This alternative allows parents who have an intense working day to be involved in the habits of their children ( Verhees et al, 2020 ).…”