The impact of family patterns on children’s physical activity

Absztrakt

Background: Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for death from non-communicable diseases. People who are not active enough have a 20–30% higher risk of death than those who are active. Regular physical activity is associated with improved physical fitness, cardiometabolic health, bone health, cognitive outcomes, mental health, and reduced body fat in children and adolescents. People’s lives are becoming increasingly sedentary due to motorized transport and increased use of screens for work, study and leisure. Evidence shows that a higher amount of sedentary lifestyle is associated with the following adverse health outcomes: increased obesity in children and adolescents, poorer cardiometabolic health, fitness and behavioural/prosocial behaviour, and reduced sleep time.

Objective: In our study, we present the effect of family pattern on children's physical activity. We raised the following questions: Does increased screen time cause a decrease in physical activity? Does parental BMI influence children's physical activity? Also: Is family activity pattern related to children's physical activity?

Subjects and methods: In 2025, we surveyed the physical status of 121 6–11-year-old schoolchildren in Budapest. We had a questionnaire about their and their family’s health status and free time activities. Body composition was examined by In Body 720 body composition analyser.

Results: Based on our results, in the studied population, physical activity was primarily determined by participation in organized sports and the mothers' physical activity level. It showed a smaller correlation with screen time, mainly during weekdays, while we found no significant correlation with parents’ BMI values.

Conclusion: Our conclusion is that an active family environment results higher activity in children. Children’s physical activity is primarily determined by participation in organized sports and the parents' sports pattern, while everyday screen use shows a moderate negative correlation with the number of active days.