Degree
Master of Science
Program
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Supervisor
Dr. Patricia Tucker
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) patterns continue from childhood into adulthood; therefore, establishing healthy PA levels early is imperative. Mothers have been identified as influencing preschoolers’ activity behaviours; however, a holistic exploration of maternal influence is lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore maternal influence on preschoolers’ PA and sedentary time. Preschoolers (n = 30) and their mothers wore ActicalTM accelerometers, and mothers completed the adapted Environmental Determinants of Physical Activity in Preschool Children - Parent Survey. Direct entry regression analyses were conducted to explore maternal influence (e.g., support, enjoyment) on preschoolers’ activity levels. Maternal support was a significant predictor of preschoolers’ PA and sedentary time (p < .05), while mothers’ enjoyment of PA was related to preschoolers’ sedentary time, light PA, and total PA (p < .05). Further research using a large diverse sample is warranted to clarify and understand the ways in which mothers impact their preschoolers’ PA behaviours.
Recommended Citation
Maltby, Alana M., "Exploring Mothers' Influence on Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Time" (2015). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 3122.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3122
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons
