Does parents’ educational level affect children's sedentary behaviour? A cross sectional analysis

Background

Evidence links sedentary behaviours (SB) with poorer health outcomes; i.e. higher screen time is associated with poorer fitness and cardiometabolic health, as well as unfavourable measures of adiposity, mental health and social behaviour in children. The WHO guidelines for children recommend reaching at least an average of 60 min per day of physical activity (PA). Several studies show a correlation between parental education (PE) and children PA levels. This study aims to analyse the influence that PE has on childrens' sedentary lifestyle and PA habits in Italian society.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 428 children aged 6-11 recruited in a primary school of Calderara di Reno (Italy) in 2017. Children's and parents' information were collected at baseline (i.e. age, BMI, occupation, instruction). PA level and SB were evaluated using a weekly diary investigating screen time (PC and TV), sports practice and active play (i.e: running, jumping, riding a bike, etc.). We investigated the relationship between lifestyles and PE (high school degree or lower vs college degree or higher) through multiple linear regression models adjusted for age and gender.

Results

Our models show that fathers' educational level is not related to children's SB. PA habits and weekly sports activities are not related to PE. On the other hand, higher mothers' educational level shows to be linked to a decreased TV screen time (p = 0.003) and time spent using a computer (p = 0.035). Notably, older children spend more time using PCs or devices (p = 0.001), net of confounding variables.

Conclusions

Our findings show that mothers' educational level positively influences children's lifestyle. This result might be related to the fact that, in the Italian context, mothers are usually the principal children's caregiver influencing their daily routine. In light of this, mothers might be considered a primary target when implementing public health interventions to reduce children's SB.

Key messages

Higher mothers’ educational level is positively associated with healthier lifestyles in children, in particular in determining a less sedentary behaviour. Fathers' degree of education does not display any impact on children's attitude toward sports and PA.

Association between parents’ education level and KIDMED index: a cross-sectional study

Background

Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered a healthy dietary model with several beneficial effects.

A strict adherence to the MD in children, coupled with daily exercise, can prevent obesity and significantly reduce the risk of correlated chronic diseases, such metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between parents' educational level and compliance to the MD in a convenience sample of Italian children.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 428 children aged 6-11 recruited in a primary school of Calderara di Reno (Italy) between May and June of 2017. Children's and parents' information were collected at baseline (i.e. age, BMI, occupation, educational level). A weekly food diary was administered to evaluate the participant's dietary habits. The degree of adherence to MD was derived from these diaries using the KIDMED index developed in 2003 by Serra-Majem et al. We used multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age and gender, to investigate how parents' educational level affected children's KIDMED index.

Results

Adherence to the MD was high, medium and poor in, respectively, 4%, 60% and 36% of children. Higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed among those with lower adherence to the MD. The linear regression model shows that fathers' educational level is not associated to children's KIDMED index variation. On the other hand, a higher mothers' educational level is linked to an increased weekly KIDMED index (p = 0.012) as well as an increased weekend KIDMED index (p = 0.048).

Conclusions

Mothers' education level is associated with increased adherence to MD, both weekly and weekend. The greater difference has been observed during weekend, when children of highly educated mothers score higher at KIDMED index.

Key messages

Mothers’ educational level plays an important role in children’s eating habits, with higher educational level associated with a better adherence to the MD. It is critical to implement parents' toolkit to promote healthy dietary patterns and adherence to MD in order to correct these social differences.

Meals adequacy during weekdays and weekends in an Italian primary school children sample

Background

Between 15 and 50% of European children aged 6-9 are overweight or obese and this number is rising dramatically over time, making it one of the most important public health challenges. Selection of healthy food and a balanced diet are key when addressing this obesity epidemic. At the same time, it is essential to consider schools' role and parents' influence on children's dietary habits. This study aims to assess the adequacy of meals during the weekdays (WD) and weekends (WE), therefore highlighting the critical moments where schools' and parents' involvement needs to be of greater impact.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 428 children aged 6-11 recruited in a primary school of Calderara di Reno (Italy) in 2017. A weekly diary was administered between May and June 2017 to explore the dietary habits of the participants. Every day for each meal (breakfast, morning snack, lunch, dinner) it was required to report what types of food and beverages were consumed, and where (home/school). The adequacy of each meal was determined by using national guidelines. A McNemar test was performed to evaluate the differences in meal adequacy between the WD and WE.

Results

Our analysis showed that meals consumed at school, i.e. morning snacks and lunches, were more adequate during WD than WE (69.6% vs 22.2%, 53.5% vs 32.5%; P-value <0.001), underlying the positive influence of school. On the other hand, breakfasts and dinners were more adequate during WE than WD (64.5% vs 51.4%, 23.8% vs 15.7%; P-value <0.001); this difference might be partially explained by the different amount of time parents have for food preparation during workdays versus weekends.

Conclusions

Further preventive interventions should address childrens' and parents' home dietary routine as a tool to improve meal adequacy at home and therefore reduce childhood obesity. Parental school-based interventions could have a key role in changing childrens' dietary habits.

Key messages

Our study showed a significant difference of healthy dietary habits between meals served at school during weekdays and at home during weekends, highlighting a higher dietary adequacy in the first ones. The results underline the importance of implementing educational programs addressing childrens’ and their parents' home meals routine and dietary habits.