Study confirms that inactive parents contribute to sedentary behavior in their children

On the other hand, when parents maintain an active routine, their children are more likely to follow suit. According to research by São Paulo State University involving 182 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, mothers’ influence in encouraging physical activity was more than twice that of fathers.

By Maria Fernanda Ziegler  |  Agência FAPESP – “Children are the mirror of their parents” is a cliché, but it describes the reality in certain contexts. At least in relation to physical inactivity, this was demonstrated by a study conducted by researchers at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil. The study examined 182 young people between the ages of 6 and 17 and their respective parents.

Using data obtained from accelerometers, which accurately measure levels of activity and inactivity, the researchers found a direct association between adults’ levels of physical activity and their children’s sedentary behavior.

The study results show that children of inactive parents tend to be more sedentary. Conversely, when mothers and fathers maintain an active routine, their children usually follow suit.

The researchers found that the burden of encouraging physical activity seems to weigh more heavily on mothers: their influence was more than twice that of fathers. However, the study was unable to attribute the reason for the greater maternal impact.

“The results indicate that parents’ level of physical activity can directly influence their children’s habits. In other words, when parents maintain a more active routine, their children are less likely to remain seated for long periods,” Diego Christofaro told Agência FAPESP. Christofaro is a professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FCT-UNESP) at the Presidente Prudente campus and the lead author of the article published in the journal Sports Medicine and Health Science.

Sedentary lifestyles during childhood and adolescence pose a significant public health challenge worldwide. According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, 11% to 38% of Brazilian children and adolescents are overweight, a condition directly related to low levels of physical activity and increasing sedentary lifestyles among this age group.

The study, supported by FAPESP, is one of the first to analyze the relationship between parents’ and children’s sedentary behavior, categorizing these relationships according to the parents’ level of physical activity. The investigations considered mothers and fathers separately, which is a relevant measure given the differences between men and women in terms of physical activity habits and sedentary behavior.

The analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, including the children’s sex and age and the family’s socioeconomic status. Previous studies have shown that parents’ level of education can significantly influence their own and their children’s habits related to physical activity and sedentary behavior.

“Sedentary habits are the result of multiple factors, such as lack of access, time, and places where physical activity can be practiced,” Christofaro notes. “However, our study shows that parents’ habits can affect their children’s health. Therefore, we believe that these results can support public policies and campaigns aimed at promoting a more active lifestyle in the family environment.”

The Physical Activity Guide for the Brazilian Population recommends that children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

The article “Parent-child association of sedentary behavior according to parental physical activity level: The EPI-FAMILY health study” can be read at www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666337625000691.