Locations of joint physical activity in parent-child pairs based on accelerometer and GPS monitoring

Abstract

Background: Parental factors may play an important role in influencing children's physical activity levels. Purpose: This cross-sectional study sought to describe the locations of joint physical activity among parents and children. Methods: Parent-child pairs (N = 291) wore an Actigraph GT2M accelerometer and GlobalSat BT-335 global positioning systems (GPS) device over the same 7-day period. Children were ages 8-14 years. Joint behavior was defined by a linear separation distance of less than 50 m between parent and child. Land use classifications were assigned to GPS datapoints. Results: Joint physical activity was spread across residential locations (35 %), and commercial venues (24 %), and open spaces/parks (20 %). Obese children and parents performed less joint physical activity in open spaces/parks than under/normal weight children and parents (ps < 0.01). Conclusions: Understanding where joint parent-child physical activity naturally occurs may inform location-based interventions to promote these behaviors. © The Society of Behavioral Medicine 2012.