Associations of parents' and teachers' habits with children physical activity: a survey in Italy

Introduction Children’s physical inactivity has dramatically escalated in Europe over the past 20 years and Italy is one of the countries with higher rate of sedentary or insufficiently active children. Low levels of physical activity (PA) and poor movement habits are main contributors for different pathologies and there has never been a more urgent need for effective programmes to reduce sedentariness as now (Salmon et al., 2009). Reviews of PA interventions reported that the most effective strategies among children include both focus on school and on family strategies. Quality physical education, active breaks, active leisure activities, social and parental support are key-elements to modify physical habits in children. The aim of this study was to explore the associations of parental and classroom teachers physical habits, given support and enjoyment in PA, with children PA levels, perceived support and enjoyment. Method Participants were 282 children at grade 4 of primary school in Northeast Italy, their 564 parents and 37 classroom teachers. Three batteries of questionnaires were used, including: the Parental Support Scale (Trost et al.,2003), the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (Crocker et al., 1997), the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (Kendzierski & De Carlo, 1991, Carraro et al., 2008) and the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (Taylor et al., 1978). Demographic and socio-economical variables were collected. Results Significant associations (p < .05) were found. Variables that were consistently associated with children PA were sex (male), previous PA and sport practice, support and perceived enjoyment in PA practice. Discussion This was the first study of parents’ and teachers’ influences on children’s PA carried out in Italy, data partially confirmed findings of previous research made in different cultural contexts(Sallis et al., 2000). Results should be confirmed in prospective studies, and interventions to improve the modifiable variables should be developed and evaluated