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

Chiaki Tanaka, Masayuki Okuda, Maki Tanaka, Shigeru Inoue and Shigeho Tanaka
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Chiaki Tanaka: Division of Integrated Sciences, J. F. Oberlin University, Tokyo 194-0294, Japan
Masayuki Okuda: Department of Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
Maki Tanaka: Department of Early Childhood Education, Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College, Kyoto 611-0041, Japan
Shigeru Inoue: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
Shigeho Tanaka: Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tokyo 162-8636, Japan

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Background: The associations of objectively evaluated moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time between primary school children and their fathers or mothers have not been fully understood. Therefore, we tested the associations in children. Methods : The participants were first to sixth grade boys (n = 166, 9.4 ± 1.6 years) and girls (n = 202, 9.4 ± 1.6 years) and their parents (fathers, n = 123 and mothers, n = 321). MVPA and sedentary time were measured using triaxial accelerometry. The relationship between parental support which was assessed by self-reported questionnaire and children’s MVPA was also examined. Results: MVPA in the children was positively correlated with maternal MVPA after adjustment for the children’s gender, grade, body mass index z-score, paternal or maternal age, and school ( p < 0.001). However, paternal or maternal sedentary time and paternal MVPA showed no significant association with sedentary time or MVPA in children. On the other hand, the percentage of MVPA in children who spent more time with their mothers on weekends was significantly lower than those who spent less time ( p = 0.034). Children whose mothers watched their sports events had a significantly higher percentage of MVPA than those whose mothers did not watch these events ( p = 0.008). There were no associations between children’s MVPA and paternal support. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate the significance of maternal MVPA and support.

Keywords: exercise; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; parental supports; sports; accelerometer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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