Active parents reduce sedentary time in kids.
Parents' activity levels directly influence their children's sedentary habits, a new study shows.
Why it matters
- Sedentary lifestyle is linked to health risks like obesity and heart disease.
- Parents serve as role models for their children's habits.
- Encouraging parental activity could reduce sedentary behavior in children.
By the numbers
- 182 young people (aged 6-17) and their parents (161 mothers, 136 fathers) participated.
- Participants averaged around 8-9 hours of sedentary time per day.
- Parents were categorized as "physically active" if they did 150 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week.
The big picture
- Kids mimic sedentary habits only when parents are inactive.
- Active parents can break the cycle of sedentary behavior in children.
- Findings could support public policies promoting active lifestyles within families.
What they're saying
- "Parents' level of physical activity can directly influence their children's habits." — Diego Christófaro, PhD
Caveats
- Study is cross-sectional, so can't prove cause and effect.
- Families volunteered to participate, which may not represent the general population.
- Conducted in Brazil; results may differ in other cultural settings.
What’s next
- Further research could explore longitudinal effects.
- Public policies could encourage active lifestyles in families.