Transmettre l’héritage actif : influence de l’activité physique parentale sur celle de sa progéniture

Objectives

Parents’ habits can have an impact on those of their children. The objective of was to evaluate the general knowledge and motivations of parents regarding physical activity and to study the behavior of their children during adolescence.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was carried on 123 adolescents and their parents. A survey including background information, practice of sport and a physical activity diary for calculating the physical activity level (PAL). Questions on knowledge in relation to physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and motivations for the practice were asked. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. The significance level was P < 0.05.

Results

Overweight and obesity were present among parents and adolescents with respectively 32.5% vs 8.1% (P = 0.0000) and 13.0% vs 4.9% (P = 0.0255). Adolescents practiced a sporting activity more than their parents (P = 0.0000). For the PAL, it was higher in parents (P = 0.0054). A positive association was shown between the PAL of parents and that of their children (r = 0.1302; P = 0.1534). Regarding parents’ knowledge, 66.7% (P = 0.0000) believed that there was no age limit for practicing sport, and 52.8% of parents thought that time spent sitting in front of a computer is not a sedentary activity (P = 0.3720). For adolescents, 55.3% had an average score between 1 and 2 representing behavior related to physical activity that needs to be improved.

Conclusion

The results suggest awareness-raising and information actions for parents to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity and the disadvantages of a sedentary lifestyle, so that they can correct the behavior of their offspring.