Correlation between Parental Support and Physical Activity, Children's Perception of Parental Support, Social Sense and Neighborhood Environment with Child Physical Activity

Continuous participation in physical activity is essential to maintaining good health and well-being throughout life. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine correlation between parental support and physical activity, children's perception of parental support, social sense and neighborhood environment with child physical activity.

This study was a descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population consisted of 9-11-year-old male and female students in Tehran and their parents (299610). Based on Morgan table, 384 students were selected and 400 questionnaires were distributed through cluster sampling. To collect data, the “Parent-Reported Support for Physical Activity”, “International Physical Activity Questionnaire”, “Children's Perceptions of Parental Support”, "Sense of Community Scale", "Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale", "Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children", were used. Face, content, and construct validity and reliability were measured. SmartPLS 2.0 M3 software was used for data analysis.

There was a significant positive correlation between physical activity of parents (t=2/31, β=0/22) and physical activity of children. However, there was not a significant correlation between parental support for physical activity (t=0/72, β=0/10) sense of community (t=0/83, β=0/09) children's perception of parental support (t=1/93, β=0/26) and neighborhood environment (t=0/05, β=-0/006) with children physical activity.

Parents' physical activity and their type of exercise behavior improve children's physical activity. Therefore, it is suggested that family-based physical activity programs be a priority for family programs.