Hyper-parenting is negatively associated with physical activity among 7-12 year olds

Objective. To explore associations between helicopter, little emperor, tiger mom, and concerted cultivation hyper-parenting styles with child physical activity. Methods. 724 North American parents of 7-12 year olds completed a survey (May, 2014) that assessed their engagement in the hyper-parenting styles and the frequency that their child played outdoors, walked/bicycled, and played organized sports. Z-scores were generated for each hyper-parenting style and four groups were created: low (<-1 SD), below average (-1 to 0.49 SD), average (-0.50 to 0.50 SD), above average (0.51 to 0.1.0 SD), and high (>1 SD). Results. Outdoor play, active transportation, and organized sport did not differ across helicopter parenting groups. Children in the low little emperor group had higher (P < 0.005) outdoor play and active transportation scores than children in the average, above average, and high groups (exception: high group for outdoor play). Children in the low tiger mom and concerted cultivation groups had higher (P < 0.005) outdoor play, active transportation, and organized sport scores than children in the average, above average, and high groups (exceptions: average and high tiger mom groups for organized sport). Conclusions. Little emperor, tiger mom, and concerted cultivation parenting styles were associated with lower physical activity among 7-12 year olds. (C) 2015 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc.