Mothers and Fathers Both Matter: The Positive Influence of Parental Physical Activity Modeling on Children's Leisure-Time Physical Activity

Purpose: To investigate associations between maternal and paternal sport participation, and children's leisure-time physical activity, and to explore differences by child gender. Method: The sample comprised 737 year five students (mean age: 11.0 +/- 0.6 years, 52% male) recruited through the Fit for Pisa Project which was conducted in 2008 at 6 secondary schools in Goettingen, Germany. Maternal and paternal sport participation were assessed through child reports of mothers' and fathers' weekly participation in sport. Children's leisure-time physical activity was measured as minutes/week that children engaged in organized and nonorganized sport. Multiple linear regression was used to assess associations between maternal and paternal sport participation, and children's leisure-time physical activity. Results: Both maternal and paternal sport participation were positively associated with children's leisure-time physical activity (maternal: b = 34.20, p < .001; paternal: b = 25.32, p < .05). When stratifying analyses by child gender, maternal sport participation remained significantly associated with leisure-time physical activity in girls (b = 60.64, p < .001). In contrast, paternal sport participation remained significantly associated with leisure-time physical activity in boys (b = 43.88, p < .01). Conclusion: Both maternal and paternal modeling positively influence children's leisure-time physical activity.