Activity Levels in Mothers and Their Preschool Children

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Physical activity is beneficial to health. Parents are crucial in shaping children' s behaviors, with active mothers appearing to have active children. Little is known about this association in preschool-aged children, or about factors influencing activity in mothers of young children. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:Mother-child physical activity levels were positively associated and influenced by temporal and demographic factors. Maternal activity levels were low, and influences differ by activity intensity. Health promotion efforts to increase activity in mothers may also benefit their young children. abstract OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between objectively measured maternal and preschool-aged children' s physical activity, determine how this association differs by demographic and temporal factors, and identify factors associated with maternal activity levels. METHODS:In the UK Southampton Women' s Survey, physical activity levels of 554 4-year-olds and their mothers were measured concurrently by using accelerometry for #7 days. Two-level mixedeffects linear regression was used to model the association between maternal and children' s minutes spent sedentary, in light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Linear regression was used to investigate correlates of maternal activity. RESULTS:Mother-child daily activity levels were positively associated at all activity intensities (sedentary, LPA, and MVPA; all P , .001). The association for sedentary time was stronger for normal-weight children (versus those who were overweight/obese), and those attending preschool part-time (versus full-time). The mother-child association for LPA differed by maternal education and was stronger at the weekend (versus weekdays). The opposite was true for MVPA. Sedentary time and MVPA were most strongly associated in mornings, with LPA most strongly associated in the evenings. Maternal BMI, age leaving school, number and age of children at home, and working hours were independently associated with maternal daily sedentary time and LPA.CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity levels in mothers and their 4-year-old children are directly associated, with associations at different activity intensities influenced by temporal and demographic factors. Influences on maternal physical activity levels also differ by activity intensity. Providing targeted interventions for mothers of young children may increase both groups' activity. Pediatrics 2014;133:e973-e980

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“…However, Hinkley et al 23 pointed out that children whose parents had an active lifestyle tended to be more active. Likewise, Hesketh et al 24 indicated that maternal daily PA levels were associated with every PA intensity levels in preschoolers.…”

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“…Sin embargo, Hinkley et al, 23 señalaron que los niños con padres activos tendían a ser más activos. Del mismo modo, Hesketh et al, 24 indicaron que los niveles de AF diaria de la madre se asociaban con todas las intensidades de AF de los niños preescolares.…”

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“…413 Studies have also found the more inactive the mother, the more inactive the child, and the more physically active the mother, the more physically active the child early in life. 414 Mississippi had the highest reported percentage of inactivity among adults at 36.8 percent.…”