Family Influence on the Formation of Children’s Motivation for a Healthy Lifestyle

Abstract

The aim: To study the family influence on the formation of children’s motivation for a healthy lifestyle. Materials and methods: The medical and sociological study among parents was conducted to assess their children’s adherence to the principles of a healthy lifestyle and the influence of the family on the formation of children’s motivation for a healthy lifestyle. The survey was conducted using a specially designed questionnaire using Google Forms. The design of the questionnaire was typical and contained the following structural components: addressing the respondent, obtaining informed consent to participate in the survey, and blocks with targeted questions (25 questions in total). The research involved 150 parents (including 54.7 % (82 people) of women and 45.3 % (68 people) of men). Methods: bibliosemantic, system-oriented analysis and logical generalization, medical and sociological (questionnaire), statistical data processing. Results: It has been found that positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle prevail in the families of the respondents (44.0 %), 42.0 % of parents indicated that their family members regularly adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Herewith, 48.0 % are interested in teaching their children about a healthy lifestyle. The main motives that most parents form in their children regarding a healthy lifestyle are maintaining and promoting health (38.0 %), improving physical condition (16.0 %), and creating a healthy family (10.0 %). However, almost a third of parents do not instill responsibility for their children’s life and health due to a lack of time and knowledge about a healthy lifestyle. Conclusions: To foster a positive attitude toward a healthy lifestyle in children, parents should set their example, create favorable conditions for a healthy lifestyle, and follow traditions related to active recreation, sensible nutrition, and the absence of bad habits. Children’s motivation for a healthy lifestyle is the main responsibility of the family.

The Role of Parental Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Family Time Together in Children’s Weight Status: The BeE-School Project

“…Moreover, our findings highlight the significant association of family habits with children's health. According to Griban and colleagues [29], the motivation behind children adopting a healthy lifestyle lies with the family.…”