Relationship between concordance of physical activity patterns of parents and adult children and their body mass status

Abstract

Background. The aim of the research was to examine the concordance of physical activity (PA) and inactivity patterns between parents and their adult children and its potential association with their body weight status. Material and methods. Students (n=144) and their parents (n=144) were examined. The outcomes were: body height, weight, BMI and the IPAQ questionnaire results. Tanglegrams were used in the analyses to compare two clustering trees representing the patterns of parents and children. Results. Incongruence in PA patterns between parents and adult children has been detected. The highest PA has been observed in sons of mothers (IPAQ: F=8.03, p<0.001; leisure-time: F=6.15, p<0.001; vigorous: F=9.37, p<0.001), and fathers of the daughters (in IPAQ scores and moderate activity: IPAQ: F=4.77, p<0.003; moderate: F=4.03, p<0.009). Tanglegrams confirmed a greater similarity between sons and fathers, and sons and mothers. The most similar subdomains were: walking, transport, and high activity during leisure time. These similar patterns are partially associated with lower BMI values (intensive activity: b=0.02, p=0.022; IPAQ: b=-0.04, p<0.001) and a lower likelihood of higher body weight status (intensive activity: OR=1.02, p=0.070; IPAQ: OR=0.96, p<0.004, leisure time: OR=0.98, p=0.066). Conclusions. When planning PA interventions, a counseling approach with parents to advocate for use of combinations of PA practices, to motivate their children in participation in PA, may prove effective.