In Search of Consistent Predictors of Children’s Physical Activity

Keren Best, Kylie Ball, Dorota Zarnowiecki, Rebecca Stanley and James Dollman
Additional contact information
Keren Best: Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
Kylie Ball: Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
Dorota Zarnowiecki: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Rebecca Stanley: Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
James Dollman: School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-14

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.

Keywords: children; adolescents; physical activity; sport; predictor; correlates; social ecological model; health promotion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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