Maternal-child co-participation in physical activity-related behaviours: prevalence and cross-sectional associations with mothers and children’s objectively assessed physical activity levels

Abstract

BackgroundCo-participation in physical activity may be a useful strategy for increasing physical activity in mothers and their young children, yet little empirical evidence exists on this topic for young families. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of mother-child co-participation in physical activity and examine the association between co-participatory behaviours and objectively-assessed physical activity in young children and their mothers.MethodsOne-hundred twenty-three 4–6 year-old children and their mothers were recruited from preschools in Belgium between November 2010 and January 2011. Mothers completed a questionnaire assessing the frequency of co-participation in five activities. Both mothers and children wore ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers concurrently for 7 days to assess the time spent in moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and light- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (LMVPA). Descriptive statistics (means, frequencies) were used to determine the prevalence of co-participation. Separate multiple linear regression analyses examined the association between co-participation and mothers’ and children’s physical activity on weekdays and weekends.ResultsMost mothers reported infrequent co-participation in physical activities with their children. On weekdays, walking or cycling for short trips was positively associated with children’s MVPA while attending a park or similar more than once per week was negatively associated with children’s MVPA and LMVPA. Going to an indoor play centre together once or more per week was negatively associated with mother’s LMVPA. On weekends, walking or cycling with their child in their free time was positively associated with both children’s and mothers’ MVPA and childrens’ LMVPA. Going to an indoor play centre together 1–3 times/month was negatively associated with children’s weekend MVPA.ConclusionsReported rates of co-participation in mothers and their preschool children were low. The association with maternal and child physical activity may be dependent on the co-participatory behaviour assessed and may differ between weekday and weekends. Promoting walking and cycling together during leisure time may be an effective strategy to increase both preschool children’s and mothers’ MVPA.

Parental Education and Pre-School Children’s Objectively Measured Sedentary Time: The Role of Co-Participation in Physical Activity

“…However, to our knowledge, only one study has specifically studied the influence of co-participation in PA on pre-school children’s activity levels. Hnatiuk [ 27 ] discovered most Belgian mothers reported infrequent co-participation in PA with their children. In particular, walking or cycling together was associated with higher PA at weekends in both children and mothers [ 27 ].…”

“…Hnatiuk [ 27 ] discovered most Belgian mothers reported infrequent co-participation in PA with their children. In particular, walking or cycling together was associated with higher PA at weekends in both children and mothers [ 27 ]. Other studies have concluded that higher parental PA levels are associated with higher PA levels of pre-school children [ 28 ], but have not specified whether the activity was performed together.…”

Associations of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Primary School Children with Their Parental Behaviors and Supports

“…It has been suggested that parents play a critical role in developing and shaping the PA and sedentary behavior of their children through role modelling [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Previous studies on primary school aged children and their parents have examined the associations between objectively measured PA or sedentary time in parents and their children [ 6 , 7 , 9 ]. However, a recent systematic review pointed out that only a few studies have examined the effect of fathers on children’s PA and this relationship remains unclear [ 10 ].…”

Socioeconomic Status and Physical Activity among Mothers of Young Children in an Asian City: The Mediating Role of Household Activities and Domestic Help

“…For example, sedentary board games or screen-based leisure options could be replaced with active games and sports to increase the physical activity of the mother and the child. Further, a study of the mothers' participation in MVPA with their preschoolers in Belgium [29] found that recreational walking and cycling with their children on weekends was significantly associated with MVPA among mothers and their children.…”