THE ROLE OF FAMILY IN PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Micah Kohlwey & Blake Vajgrt

What is a family?  Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a family as “a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation”  Families can take various shapes and formats, but the most important aspects about them is that members support each other  In American society, family are usually the most important educational unit

Physical Activity in America’s Youth  Fewer than 49% of boys and 35% of girls ages six to eleven do not meet the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day  1/3 of American youths are overweight or obese

What is Causing the Decline in Physical Activity?  Less access to physical activity in schools  Poor neighborhood planning and violence  Decline in recreational sports programs  Economic opportunity for child to be in organized programs

Family Based Physical Activity Promotion  What is one way to bring physical activity to children?  Family support of physical activity may be one of the most cost effective and successful ways to get kids active

Influence of Families  Parents are extremely important in determining the physical activity levels of children  Children of two parents who are active were 5.8 times more likely to be active than children with two sedentary parents (Moore, et al. 1991)  Children with siblings were more likely to be active that children without siblings

Support Rather Than Modeling  Parental support for physical activity may be just as important than parental participation in physical activity  Support through compliments, positive reinforcement, and ensuring enjoyment of an activity are all ways parents can promote physical activity

Approaches to Family Based Promotion  Shared and Goal-Directed Programs  Family Supported Active Transport  Parental Advocacy for Programs  Integrated and Multilevel Approaches

Shared and Goal Oriented Programs  This approach involves all members of a family working together to increase physical activity levels  Examples include a family setting a step count goal for each member for a day, or taking time each week to take walks, etc.

Family Supported Active Transport  Although recent urban developments and current city planning has made it difficult for active transport, family can and should make promote it  Active transport is a way to get more physical activity into every family member’s life

Parental Advocacy for Programs  Parents play a role in placing children in programs that provide them with opportunities for physical activity  After school programs and organized youth sports programs provide children for opportunities for physical activity and can be supported by parents

Integrated and Multilevel Approach  Integrated and multilevel approaches utilizes churches and schools to provide physical activity opportunities to families in all neighborhoods  Parents who support these types of programs can help reduce the cost issue of organized programs and lead to greater life style changes

The So What For You?  Hopefully we will all be parents some day  It is essential we know that family based approached to physical activity are easier and cheap (even free!)  It is important as a parent to support physical activity in children through both words and actions  Remember to make physical activity important for you future family!

The Challenge to You! 

References Brockman, Rowan. ""Get off the sofa and go and play": Family and socioeconomic." (2009) BMC Public Health. Retrieved from Ebscohost.com. Brustad, Robert J. "The Role of Family in Promoting Physical Activity." (March, 2010) BMC Public Health. Retrieved from Ebscohost.com. Craig, Cora L. "Relationship between parent and child pedometer-determined physical activity:." (18 Jan. 2013). BMC Public Health. Retrieved from Ebscohost.com. "Familial Aggregation." Medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com. Farlex, n.d.. Web. 22 Feb Green, J., Waters, E., Haikerwal, A., O'Neill, C., Raman, S., Booth, M., & Gibbons, K. (2003). Social, cultural and environmental influences on child activity and eating in Australian migrant communities. Child: Care, Health & Development. Retrieved from Ebscohost.com. Smith, Ben J. "Parental Influences on Child Physical Activity and Screen Viewing Time: A Population Based Study." (2010) BMC Public Health,. Web. 22 Feb Retrieved from Ebscohost.com.

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