Social and family factors as determinants of exercise habits in Japanese elementary school children: a cross-sectional study from the Super Shokuiku School Project.
10.1186/s12199-020-00892-3
- Author:
Satomi SAWA
1
;
Michikazu SEKINE
2
;
Masaaki YAMADA
2
;
Yugo FUKAZAWA
3
;
Yusuke HIRAKU
4
Author Information
1. School of Human Development, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan. sawa@edu.u-toyama.ac.jp.
2. Department of Epidemiology and Health Policy, School of Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan.
3. Department of Brain Structure and Function, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan.
4. Department of Environmental Health, University of Fukui School of Medical Sciences, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Elementary school children;
Parental lifestyle;
Physical activity;
Social background
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Age Factors;
Child;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Exercise;
psychology;
Family Characteristics;
Female;
Habits;
Humans;
Japan;
Life Style;
Male;
Sex Factors;
Socioeconomic Factors
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2020;25(1):54-54
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Many studies have already reported on the relationship between exercise habits and health among schoolchildren. However, few have examined social and/or family factors as determinants of exercise habits.
METHODS:This study's participants included 1721 schoolchildren aged between 6 and 13 who were involved in the Super Shokuiku School Project in January 2016. A survey was conducted to assess gender, grade level, physical activity, lifestyle, overall health, enrichment of school life, social background, and parental lifestyles. Both dislike and lack of physical activity were used to measure poor exercise habits; correlates were analyzed using logistic regression.
RESULTS:"Lack of close friends" had the strongest links with both dislike (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.78-10.1) and lack of (adjusted OR 5.40; 95% CI, 2.81-10.4) physical activity. Further, children who engaged in long periods of screen time and lacked parental communication also tended to dislike and lack physical activity. Children with mothers who were unemployed (housewives) and had unhealthy lifestyles, as well as those with poor health, were also more likely to lack physical activity.
CONCLUSION:Social and family factors (e.g., having close friends) may be determinants of exercise habits among schoolchildren, independent of their own lifestyle factors. Although a longitudinal study is needed to determine causality, substantial attention may thus be required to these factors when promoting physical activity in children.
