Perception of parents and physical activity of their children probably linked

A new study from Oregon State University claims that there appears to be no straight association between parents’ own level of physical activity and the level of their child. Actually, perceptions of their children’s athleticism are apparently what seem to have an undeviating influence on the children’s activity.

The study included around 268 children, ages 2 to 5, who were examined in early childhood education centers in Queensland, Australia. Of these children, about 156 parents or caregivers were apparently questioned on their parental practices, behaviors linked with physical activity and demographic details.

The researchers apparently discovered that parents’ level of physical activity may not be unwaveringly linked to their children, but instead the direct association was said to be between parental support and a child’s level of physical activity.

“Active parents may be more likely to have active children because they encourage that behavior through the use of support systems and opportunities for physical activity, but there is no statistical evidence that a child is active simply because they see that their parents exercise,” commented Stewart Trost, director of the Obesity Prevention Research Core at the new Hallie Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families at OSU.

His study appears to have discovered that the odds of parents who consider their children to boast some type of athletic capability were more as compared to other parents to present instrumental and emotional support for young children to be physically active.

Trost remarked, “I think this underscores the need for parents to provide emotional support, as well as opportunities for activity. Regardless of whether a child is athletic or is perceived to be physically gifted, all children need opportunities and encouragement of physical activity.”

Nevertheless, Trost is of the opinion that parental support of physical activity apparently did not transform to a child’s behavior once they were in a childcare setting and not in the house. He is of the opinion that this appears to contribute to the body of investigation, illustrating that both parents plus childcare providers ought to offer support for physical activity.

The study was published in the journal Preventive Medicine.