Psychometrics of the preschooler physical activity parenting practices instrument among a Latino sample

Abstract

BackgroundLatino preschoolers (3-5 year old children) have among the highest rates of obesity. Low levels of physical activity (PA) are a risk factor for obesity. Characterizing what Latino parents do to encourage or discourage their preschooler to be physically active can help inform interventions to increase their PA. The objective was therefore to develop and assess the psychometrics of a new instrument: the Preschooler Physical Activity Parenting Practices (PPAPP) among a Latino sample, to assess parenting practices used to encourage or discourage PA among preschool-aged children.MethodsCross-sectional study of 240 Latino parents who reported the frequency of using PA parenting practices. 95% of respondents were mothers; 42% had more than a high school education. Child mean age was 4.5 (±0.9) years (52% male). Test-retest reliability was assessed in 20%, 2 weeks later. We assessed the fit of a priori models using Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). In a separate sub-sample (35%), preschool-aged children wore accelerometers to assess associations with their PA and PPAPP subscales.ResultsThe a-priori models showed poor fit to the data. A modified factor structure for encouraging PPAPP had one multiple-item scale: engagement (15 items), and two single-items (have outdoor toys; not enroll in sport-reverse coded). The final factor structure for discouraging PPAPP had 4 subscales: promote inactive transport (3 items), promote screen time (3 items), psychological control (4 items) and restricting for safety (4 items). Test-retest reliability (ICC) for the two scales ranged from 0.56-0.85. Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0.5-0.9. Several sub-factors correlated in the expected direction with children’s objectively measured PA.ConclusionThe final models for encouraging and discouraging PPAPP had moderate to good fit, with moderate to excellent test-retest reliabilities. The PPAPP should be further evaluated to better assess its associations with children’s PA and offers a new tool for measuring PPAPP among Latino families with preschool-aged children.

Design and methodology of a cluster-randomized trial in early care and education centers to meet physical activity guidelines: Sustainability via Active Garden Education (SAGE)

“…Accelerometers are valid and reliable state-of-the-art devices that offer an objective measure of physical activity and have been well received by the community [58]. Children will wear a small accelerometer at their hip during all waking hours for 7 days to assess physical activity and sedentary time, removed only when under water [58][59][60][61]. Parents complete logs to record on/off time and received a FAQ, along with prompting and support via text messages or phone.…”

“…The Preschooler physical activity Parenting Practices (PPAPP) instrument characterizes parenting practices that encourage or discourage children to be physically active. Reported psychometrics are strong, and test-retest reliability (0.56-0.85) is moderate to excellent [60]. The a scale of parenting practices [73] was used to measure Preschooler fruit and vegetables Parenting Practices (PFVPP) measures five categories of parenting practices: teachable moments, practical methods, firm discipline, restriction of junk foods, and enhanced availability and accessibility.…”

A systematic review of methods to measure family co‐participation in physical activity

“…indoor games, going for a walk, or playing sports) . Similarly, a few other studies asked parents to report on how often they/as a family engaged in any of a list of shared family activities . Such measures may help to offset some of the limitations of broad, less‐precise, single‐item measures.…”

“… and O'Connor et al . for parent‐reported equivalents. The inclusion of an additional option within such items to indicate the duration of co‐participation through the, e.g.…”

“…Parents reported how often they/as a family engaged in shared family activities including going for bike rides, walk the dog, dance and/or play sports Unnamed; no specific construct reported Unnamed; scale assesses family social support for physical activity Preschooler Physical Activity Parenting Practices Scale …”