Parental influences on child physical activity and screen viewing time: a population based study

Abstract

BackgroundParents can influence their children's physical activity participation and screen time.This study examined the relative significance of perceived parental barriers and self-efficacy in relation to children's physical activity participation and screen time viewing. The associations between these factors and the behaviours were analysed.MethodsCross-sectional population survey in New South Wales, Australia of parents of pre-school (N = 764), younger (Kindergarten, Grades 2 and 4; N = 1557) and older children (Grades 6, 8 and 10; N = 1665). Parents reported barriers and self-efficacy to influence their child's physical activity and screen time behaviours in a range of circumstances. Differences were examined by child's sex and age group, household income, maternal education and location of residence. The duration of physical activity and screen viewing was measured by parental report for pre-school and younger children and self-report for older children. Associations between parental factors and children's organised, non-organised and total activity and screen time were analysed.ResultsCost, lack of opportunities for participation and transport problems were the barriers most often reported, particularly by low income parents and those in rural areas. The number of barriers was inversely related to children's time spent in organised activity, but not their non-organised activity. Higher parental self-efficacy was positively associated with organised physical activity in the younger and older children's groups and the non-organised activity of older children. School-age children (younger and older groups) were less likely to meet physical activity guidelines when parents reported ≥4 barriers (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.25-11.34 and OR 3.72, 95% CI 1.71-8.11 respectively). Low parental self-efficacy was also associated with the likelihood of children exceeding screen time guidelines for each age group (pre-school OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.87; young children OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.39-0.80; and older children OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.43-0.74).ConclusionParental barriers are associated with the time that children spend in both active and sedentary pursuits. These findings highlight family, economic and environmental factors that should be addressed in programs to promote child physical activity and tackle sedentary behaviour.

Is Adolescent Body Weight Associated With Parental Beliefs About Overweight, Attitudes Towards Food, and the Home Environment?

“…Only a few studies have investigated these variables and they focused mainly on self-efficacy. These studies support the assumption that parents' self-efficacy is associated with children's weight related behavior, such as exercising (Adkins, Sherwood, Story, & Davis, 2004;Smith et al, 2010;Taveras, Mitchell, & Gortmaker, 2009). With respect to risk perception it might be important to consider whether parents evaluate their children's weight status correctly in the first place.…”

“…Though self-efficacy has been tested with respect to exercising and eating behavior extensively, it has only recently been recognized as an important parental factor that should be studied in the context of childhood obesity. It was examined with respect to exercise and found to be positively correlated with the physical activity of girls (Adkins et al, 2004) and with organized physical activity of younger and older children and non-organized activity of older children (Smith et al, 2010). Both studies did not investigate the association of parents' self-efficacy with the children's BMI.…”

Physical Inactivity among Danish and Colombian Adolescents with Lower Level of Family Affluence

“…In a recent study in Kenya using the ISCOLE-questionnaire, over half of the children reported spending two days or less being physically active for more than 60 minutes, which agrees to our findings (Muthuri, Wachira, Onywera, & Tremblay, 2014). Research shows that parents with low income may discourage adolescents' PA participation because of the cost, lack of opportunities for participation, and transport barriers (Smith, Grunseit, Hardy, King, Wolfenden, & Milat, 2010). Smith et al (2010) found that the number of barriers was inversely related to adolescents' time spent in organised activity, i.e.…”

Associations of Parent Health Behaviors and Parenting Practices with Sleep Duration in Overweight and Obese Children

“…32 Several studies have found associations between parents' confidence in their ability to influence their children's behaviors and the behaviors themselves. Child screen time, physical activity, 33 diet, 22 and performance in weight loss interventions 34 have all been associated with parent confidence. It is understandable that parents whose children already get 10 or more hours of sleep each night would feel confident in their ability to help them get enough sleep, but it is interesting to note that although 57.3% of parents said they were "very" or "extremely" confident in their ability to help their child get 10 or more hours of sleep per night, only 28.6% of children had met that recommendation.…”