Parenting styles, parenting practices, and physical activity in 10- to 11-year olds

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether parenting styles and practices are associated with children's physical activity.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of seven hundred ninety-two 10- to 11-year-old UK children in Bristol (UK) in 2008-2009 was conducted. Accelerometer-assessed physical activity and mean minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (mean MVPA) and mean counts per minute (mean CPM) were obtained. Maternal parenting style and physical activity parenting practices were self-reported.

Results: In regression analyses, permissive parenting was associated with higher mean MVPA among girls (+6.0 min/day, p<0.001) and greater mean CPM (+98.9 accelerometer counts/min, p=0.014) among boys when compared to children with authoritative parents. Maternal logistic support was associated with mean CPM for girls (+36.2 counts/min, p=0.001), while paternal logistic support was associated with boys' mean MVPA (+4.0 min/day, p=0.049) and mean CPM (+55.7 counts/min, p=0.014).

Conclusions: Maternal permissive parenting was associated with higher levels of physical activity than authoritative parenting, but associations differed by child gender and type of physical activity. Maternal logistic support was associated with girls' physical activity, while paternal logistic support was associated with boys' physical activity. Health professionals could encourage parents to increase logistic support for their children's physical activity.