The effect of family and friend support on physical activity through adolescence: a longitudinal study

Abstract

BackgroundThis study examined if family and friend support predicted adolescent physical activity (PA) across a five-year time span.MethodsThe Iowa Bone Development Study collected objective measures of physical activity and self-report of physical activity psychosocial factors at ages 13 (n = 306), 15 (n = 356), and 17 yr (n = 317). Total moderate and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and MVPA after 3 pm on weekdays (MVPA-PM Weekday) were measured using ActiGraph accelerometers. Family Support for PA and Friend Support for PA scales were measured using the Choices questionnaire. Models were adjusted for SES (mother’s education) and somatic maturity (Mirwald predictive equations for maturity offset). Spearman correlation coefficients examined tracking of scales at ages 13, 15 and 17. Logistic regression estimated the odds ratio for being in the lowest tertile of each scale at age 17 if in the lowest tertile at age 13. Linear mixed regression models investigated associations between these scales and MVPA outcomes over time.ResultsTwo- and five-year intra-variable tracking associations for Family Support and Friend Support scales were moderate (r = 0.32–0.58), except for the comparison between age 13 and age 17 Friend Support for girls, which resulted in a low association (r = 0.26). Boys and girls in the lowest tertile for support at age 13 were more likely to remain in the lowest tertile at age 17 compared to those in the middle and upper tertiles. The regression models indicated that when all other factors were held constant, an increase in family and/or friend support resulted in an increase in both MVPA outcomesConclusionsFrom early to late adolescence, support for PA from the family and/or support from friends results in higher levels of total and discretionary MVPA. However, the importance of support in predicting MVPA decreased with age.

Childhood predictors of adolescent behaviour: The prospective association of familial factors with meeting physical activity guidelines

“…This is consistent with data from previous studies suggesting that logistical support (e.g. driving child to sports practice) is critical (Morrissey et al, 2015). This is a modifiable facet of family life, and may therefore be a potential target for those developing interventions to increase or maintain physical activity over the transition into adolescence.…”

Investigating Adolescent Girls' Perceptions and Experiences of School‐Based Physical Activity to Inform the Girls' Peer Activity Intervention Study

“…Girls, regardless of PA level, depict a strong preference towards doing PA with their friends, which was related to greater PA enjoyment and engagement. Positive peer support has been found the increase in importance throughout adolescence, resulting in higher levels of total and discretionary moderate‐to‐vigorous PA and is consistently associated with smaller declines in PA . Therefore, it is clear that peer groupings within the school setting are very important to perceptions, experiences, and engagement of school‐based PA for adolescent girls …”

Associations between Parental and Friend Social Support and Children’s Physical Activity and Time Spent outside Playing

“…Examining the mechanisms by which parents and friends influence children's PA levels is especially important, as evidence suggests that there is a significant decline in these two sources of support from year 7 and year 9 [15] and low social support for PA in early adolescence appears to be tracking into later adolescence [16]. …”