Parental influence on children’s physical activity motivation
Research ReportAPA Citation:
Cheatom, O. (2014). Parental influence on children’s physical activity motivation. Brief report submitted to the U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved from: www.MilitaryREACH.org
Abstract Created by REACH:
As of 2012, nearly one-third of young people (ages 2-19 years old) in the United States were considered overweight or obese, which was characterized as having a body mass index above or equal to 30 kilograms/meter² (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). Obesity in America has become a crisis among young people, an epidemic that is closely linked to physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and adolescents should engage in at least one hour or more of physical activity daily (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Unfortunately, an estimated 42% of children ages 6-11 and merely 8% of children ages 12-17 meet daily exercise recommendations (Troiano et al., 2008). Parents play a major role in influencing their children’s attitudes towards physical activity (Beets, Cardinal, & Alderman, 2010). Evidence for increasing numbers of overweight and obese youth, combined with the number of youth leading sedentary lifestyles, highlights the importance of understanding how parents can encourage children’s physical activity. Additionally, evidence for parents’ impact on children’s activity levels may inform the interventions that helping professionals use to minimize obesity amongst American youth. Specifically, knowledge of parents’ role in obesity prevention may contribute to the development or enhancement of innovative prevention programs. For the purpose of this brief, the term “parent” includes any guardian that is responsible for the welfare of a child (i.e., not limited to biological parents). The specific needs of children who show delays or deficits in their cognitive and/or physical development have unique challenges, and their experiences are beyond the scope of this review. This review will aim to provide information about the ways that parents influence their children’s participation in physical activity and the risk factors that may limit children’s participation in physical activity.
Focus:
Children
Youth
Physical health
Subject Affiliation:
Civilian
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Methodology:
Review of Literature
Authors:
Cheatom, Octavia, Borden, Lynne M., Hawkey, Kyle R., Wittcoff Kuhl, Michelle, Pinna, Keri M.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
The University of Minnesota Center for Research and Outreach
Publication Type:
REACH Publication
Keywords:
physical health, childhood obesity, youth obesity
Location:
University of Minnesota
REACH Publication Type:
Research Report
Sponsors:
Developed in collaboration with the Department of Defense’s Office of Family Policy, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture under The University of Minnesota Award No. 2013-48710-21515 and The University of Arizona Award No. 2009-48667-05833.