A decrease in the association between the physical activity patterns of australian parents and their children; 1985–1997

doi:10.1016/S1440-2440(05)80026-X

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2005, Pages 71-76

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1440-2440(05)80026-X Get rights and content

The present study investigated the interactions between parents' and children's physical activity levels by examining whether or not parents who exercise have children who participate in sport. Of primary interest was an investigation of trends in these interactions over time. Information was collected from 10–13 y old children in 1985 (n=2463) and then again in 1997–99 (n=1469), about their sports participation and their perceptions of parents' exercise habits. Boys' participation in at least one sport declined from 87% in 1985 to 76% in 1997/1999 while, among girls, participation fell from 80% to 71%. According to their children's perceptions, mothers exercising regularly fell from 36% to 31% between surveys, while fathers exercising regularly fell from 39% to 32%. Interactions between parents' and children's exercise and sports behaviours were examined employing chi-square analysis techniques. Results showed gender-specific relationships for the 1985 sample, such that active fathers were associated with increased participation in sports by boys, and inactive mothers were associated with less participation in sports by girls. These interactions seemed to diminish over time. It is possible that changes in social structures during this time may be affecting familial behaviour relationships, such as the role modelling of active behaviours.

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Longitudinal changes in domains of physical activity during childhood and adolescence: A systematic review
2019, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Citation Excerpt :
For example, a Swedish study reported that sports club membership increased between 1974–1995 among 16 year old girls (+9%) but not boys (±0%).52 However, other studies reported secular declines in organized PA among both genders in Australia53 and Switzerland.54 Relatively few studies of non-organized PA were included in the present review.
Physical activity (PA) participation is prone to decline during adolescence. An understanding of the domains of PA that are susceptible to decline may support a more targeted approach to PA and health promotion. The aim of this study was to review longitudinal trends in participation in four PA domains during childhood and adolescence: organized PA, non-organized PA, active transport and active chores.
Systematic review.
5517 research articles were sourced from five electronic databases (covering January 1997–April 2018). Eligibility criteria included repeated measurements of at least one PA domain among the same participants (5–18 years of age).
23 studies were included, cumulatively reporting data from 27,231 participants. Few studies had a low risk of bias (n = 6). Most studies of active transport reported an increase in participation during childhood, no change in the transition to adolescence, and no change or decline during adolescence. Most studies of organized PA reported an increase during childhood, an increasing or stable pattern in the transition to adolescence, and no change or decline during adolescence. Non-organized PA participation tended to remain stable among adolescent girls and decline among adolescent boys. Active chores increased during the transition to adolescence and then stabilized.
Potential strategies for PA promotion among youth may include targeting non-organized PA among adolescent boys or organized PA among late adolescent boys and girls. However, there is a continuing need for high-quality, longitudinal studies of participation in PA domains, particularly non-organized PA and active chores.
PROSPERO Registration: CRD42017076888.
Physical activity temporal trends among children and adolescents
2015, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Citation Excerpt :
The rate of change for this study was +5 percentage points per decade. Australian trends in organized sport have been investigated in four studies27–30 each consisting of different methods, making it difficult to directly compare. Martin and colleagues27 reported declines in 10–13 year old South Australians’ participation with 3932 participants, defined as participation in one or more school or club sports in the previous year.
It is particularly important to measure trends in physical activity to identify specific contexts where physical activity may have declined and can be targeted for intervention. The aim of this review was to summarize overall physical activity trends based on objectively measured physical activity as well as trends in specific contexts (active transport, organized sport, school physical education and school play periods) using self- or proxy-reported physical activity.
A comprehensive literature search was completed to identify articles on the specific contexts of physical activity for inclusion in this review.
Journal articles for inclusion in this narrative review were sourced from the various databases and reference lists. Most studies in this review employed self-report or proxy-report methodologies.
There is limited research on temporal trends in children's and adolescents’ physical activity.
The few studies that employ objective measures to assess trends in physical activity indicate little change has occurred in the last 20 years. Other studies that employed self-report methods indicate organized sport trends are somewhat inconsistent across countries, however most studies reported an increase in participation. Within the limited physical education trend studies, inconsistent trends were noted. There have been consistent declines in active transport, particularly cycling. Few studies have investigated trends in physical activity and sedentary behaviour during school play periods, highlighting a need for further research.
Mixed results and inconsistent magnitudes of change were identified when exploring trends in different contexts of physical activity for children and adolescents over the last few decades. Taken overall, there is little evidence for a decrease in children's and adolescents’ physical activity, although consistent declines in active transport highlight this context as a suitable intervention target.
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Original ResearchA decrease in the association between the physical activity patterns of australian parents and their children; 1985–1997

Am J Prev Med

Obesity in children: a crisis in public health

Obes Rev

Physical activity and behavioural medicine

Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic

Physical activity patterns of Australian adults. Results of the 1999 National Physical Activity Survey

Australia's health: the 2000 biennial report of the Australian Institute of Health

Family variables and children's physical activity: influence of parental exercise and socio-economic status

Sport, Educat & Societ

Parental activity as a determinant of activity level and patterns of activity in obese children

Res Q Exerc Sport

Australian Social Trends

Child-rearing and internalization: A developmental perspective

Original Research
A decrease in the association between the physical activity patterns of australian parents and their children; 1985–1997