The longitudinal influence of home and neighbourhood environments on children's body mass index and physical activity over 5 years: the CLAN study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the independent contributions of family and neighbourhood environments to changes in youth physical activity and body mass index (BMI) z-score over 5 years. Methods: In 2001 years at baseline) had their height and weight measured (BMI was converted to z-scores using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference charts; see http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) assessed using accelerometers. In 2001, parents reported on the home environment (social support, role modelling, rules and restrictions, physical environment) and perceived neighbourhood environment (local traffic, road safety, sporting venues, public transport), and Geographic Information Systems were used to map features of the neighbourhood environment (destinations, road connectivity, traffic exposure). Generalized estimating equations were used to predict average BMI z-score and MVPA over time from baseline home and perceived and objective neighbourhood environment factors. Results: Among boys, maternal education and heavy traffic were inversely associated, and sibling physical activity, maternal role modelling of MVPA and the presence of dead-end roads were positively associated with MVPA. Having unmarried parents, maternal MVPA role modelling and number of home sedentary items were positively associated with BMI z-score among boys. Among girls, having siblings, paternal MVPA role modelling, physical activity rules and parental physical activity co-participation were positively associated with MVPA. Having unmarried parents and maternal sedentary behaviour role modelling were positively associated, and number of sedentary behaviour rules and physical activity items were inversely associated with BMI z-score among girls. Conclusion: The home environment seems more important than the neighbourhood environment in influencing children's physical activity and BMI z-score over 5 years. Physical activity and weight gain programmes among youth should focus on parental role modelling, rules around sedentary and active pursuits, and parental support for physical activity. Intervention studies to investigate these strategies are warranted.

Is the Environment Near Home and School Associated with Physical Activity and Adiposity of Urban Preschool Children?

“…Children are more physically active when outdoors than indoors, 52 and children who walk or bike to school are more active than children who travel by other means. 53,54 However, other contexts, such as the indoor home 55 or school environment, [56][57][58] may also influence physical activity at early ages. The social context, including local norms about body size, is also likely to influence activity and adiposity; indeed, local norms may be responsible for our finding that living in a neighborhood with more immigrants predicts lower adiposity.…”

Effects of Parenting Style and Parent-Related Weight and Diet on Adolescent Weight Status

“…Previous research has shown that higher parental weight status is associated with higher adolescent weight status; this association has also been demonstrated among minority populations (Zeller et al, 2007). A small but growing evidence base also suggests that parental health behaviors, specifically parent physical activity and healthy eating, are inversely associated with youth weight status (Berge, Wall, Bauer, & Neumark-Sztainer, 2010;Crawford et al, 2010). Parent obesity, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable intake may be important predictors of youth weight status because adolescents may learn positive health behaviors by observing their parents health and health behaviors.…”

Family- and school-based predictors of energy balance-related behaviours in children: a 6-year longitudinal study

“…Earlier research suggests that these behaviours may be influenced or predicted by different factors in girls and boys (24)(25)(26)(27) . For example, two previous studies have found that parental PA behaviour was only related to PA behaviour of boys, not girls (24,25) . To our knowledge, no previous studies have examined SES as a potential moderator of correlates of EBRB in early adolescence.…”