Preliminary analysis of the relationship between physical fitness level and perceived parental support for sports practice in overweight and obese adolescents

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess if parents' perceived support towards the practice of physical activity was related to gender and to physical fitness level in a group of overweight and obese adolescents. A total of 177 adolescents enrolled in public school institutions, aged between 12 and 16 years old, with an average body mass index of 29.03, participated in this study. The results of this study revealed that the highest levels of general parental support for sports were observed in boys and girls with high aerobic capacity. Likewise, girls attributed their parents a greater degree of guided support compared to their male peers. With the results of this study, we can conclude that there is a positive relationship between physical fitness and perceived parental support.