Rural Parenting Influences on Child Sedentary Behaviors

Background. Sedentary behavior and parenting factors are two factors that influence this trend toward obesity. However, even less is known about how the intersection of parenting influences affects child sedentary behaviors in rural communities. This study examines the relationship between parenting factors and child sedentary behaviors within the context of rurality.

Methods. A secondary statistical analysis of the School Wellness and Advocacy Program, a rural minority childhood obesity prevention study which focused on examining the relationships between parents’ TV and behavior rules, and child’s sedentary activity behavior was conducted. Composite scores for weekday and weekend sedentary behaviors and rule enforcement were created and associations were analyzed.

Results. T-tests showed parents reported their child in low sedentary category on weekdays (M= 2.11, SD= ±.953, t(286)=2.00, p=.977) and weekends (M= 2.15, SD= ±.961, t(288)=1.42, p=.922). Parents reported an overall mean rule composite score of 6.46 (SD= ±3.04, t(288)=.336, p=.631) and the means for males and females were similar (males= 6.4 ±2.92; females=6.52 ±3.15). Overall, parents of both males and females reported a medium amount of rule enforcement

Conclusions. This study found a gap in the literature examining how parenting factors influence child sedentary behaviors in rural settings. Analysis revealed that parents indicate rules are important but parental rules have no associations with child sedentary activity, despite medium rates of enforcement. This suggests the relationship between sedentary behaviors and rule enforcement is more complex than the setting and following of household rules.