Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Parent’s perception of their influence on their child’s physical activity

3^rd International Conference on Pediatrics

May 18-20, 2015 San Antonio, Texas, USA

Gwendolyn Kay Van Derworp

University of Brighton, UK

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut

Abstract :

Childhood Physical Activity (PA) has declined in the western world in recent years. To combat child inactivity, government programs have been organized to promote PA within families. It is important for physiotherapists understand the influence parents perceive to have on their child�s PA habits in order to better encourage a positive parental influence. The purpose of this study is to explore how parents perceive their influence on their child/children�s PA through an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach with semi-structured interviews conducted with five participants. The interviews were analyzed using elements of IPA. Master themes developed by their corresponding subthemes: Creating an environment of opportunity, barriers to PA, and Parent and child interactions. The findings suggest that parents perceive themselves to have a greater positive influence on their children rather than negative. The barriers that parents create are not perceived to prevent their child�s PA, but rather restrict it. Many participants reported enjoying doing PA with their children and used PA as an opportunity for family time indicating a dual purpose for PA. Physiotherapists and programs focused on family heath could implement ways to reinforce the perceived influences that are correlated with higher levels of PA and provide education to help prevent parents from becoming barriers and increase their positive influence.

Biography :

Email: gvanderworp@gmail.com