Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Physical activity in young children : a systematic review of parental influences

journal contribution
posted on 2012-11-01, 00:00 authored by J Mitchell, Helen Skouteris, M McCabe, L Ricciardelli, J Milgrom, L Baur, Matthew Fuller-TyszkiewiczMatthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, G Dwyer
The primary aim of this review was to identify and evaluate the strength of associations of the key parental factors measured in studies examining early childhood physical activity (PA). A systematic review of the literature, using databases PsychINFO, Medline, Academic Search Complete, PSYCHinfo, and CINHAL, published between January 1986 and March 2011 was conducted; 20 papers were relevant for the current review. While 12 parenting variables were identified, only 5 of these had been investigated sufficiently to provide conclusive findings. There were inconsistencies in the findings involving the social learning variable parental enjoyment and variables involving parental behaviours such as maternal depression and self-efficacy, and rules for sedentary behaviour, and parental perceptions, which included perceived importance of PA, fear of safety, and perception of child’s motor competence. Given these inconsistencies, a metaanalysis was conducted to determine whether the method of measuring PA (objective or subjective) influenced the strength of associations between the parental factors and young children’s PA. There was no difference in the strength of associations in the studies that used objective or subjective measurement (via parent self-report). Further investigation is needed to clarify and understand the specific parental influences and behaviours that are associated with PA in young children. In particular, longitudinal research is needed to better understand how parental influences and PA levels of children during the formative preschool and early elementary school years are associated.

History

Journal

Early child development and care

Volume

182

Issue

11

Pagination

1411 - 1437

Publisher

Routledge

Location

Abingdon, England

ISSN

0300-4430

eISSN

1476-8275

Language

eng

Notes

Version of record first published 10 October 2011

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2012, Taylor & Francis

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC