Parental physical activity, safety perceptions and children’s independent mobility

Abstract

BackgroundParents are likely to be a basic influence on their children's behavior. There is an absence of information about the associations between parents' physical activity and perception of neighborhood environment with children’s independent mobility.The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of parental physical activity and perception of neighborhood safety to children’s independent mobility.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study of 354 pupils and their parents, independent mobility, perceptions of neighborhood safety and physical activity were evaluated by questionnaire. Categorical principal components analyses were used to determine the underlying dimensions of both independent mobility and perceptions of neighborhood safety items.ResultsThe strongest predictor of independent mobility was the parental perception of sidewalk and street safety (ß = 0.132). Parent’s physical activity was also a significant predictor. The final model accounted for 13.0% of the variance.ConclusionsParental perception of neighborhood safety and parents’ self reported physical activity might be associated with children’s independent mobility. Further research in this topic is needed to explore this possible association.

The Effect of the Social and Physical Environment on Children’s Independent Mobility to Neighborhood Destinations

“…Parent perceptions of neighborhood safety including safety from traffic and stranger danger are significantly associated with children's physical activity, 41,42 active school transport 38 and overall independent mobility. 41,43,44 Our findings confirm that parents who perceive the neighborhood environment as unsafe for children to move around independently are less likely to grant their children licenses to independently travel to a number of different local destinations.…”

Results From Portugal’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

“…For instance, parental perception of neighborhood safety and parents' self-reported PA might be associated with children's independent mobility. 19 Moreover, parental education was negatively associated with children's daily PA patterns and compliance with guidelines. 20 Considering all the available information, a grade of C was assigned to this category.…”

Measures of outdoor play and independent mobility in children and youth: A methodological review

“…In studies measuring independent mobility (n = 23), the study quality was rated high in 12 studies (52%) 10,13,28,46,50,[53][54][55]57,58,60,62 and fair in 11 studies (48%) 14,16,17,26,31,45,51,52,56,59,61 (Table 1). There was 100% consensus between the two reviewers (BB and MS) in single study and overall study quality scores.…”