Original scientific paper
The Impact of Family Physical Activity on Health-Related Behaviors of Preschool Children in Osijek
Vesna Brumnić
; University of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar, Vukovar, Croatia
*
Sanja Šalaj
orcid.org/0000-0002-8581-1958
; Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Introduction: Physical activity is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. It is especially important for the proper growth and development of children and in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the average daily number of steps and time spent in sedentary behaviors among children, and to explore the association between family co-participation in physical activity and children’s physical activity levels.
Methods: The study was conducted in the city of Osijek and included 79 parent–child dyads. The participating children were preschoolers aged 5 and 6 years. Children’s physical activity and sedentary behavior were objectively assessed using accelerometers.
Results and discussion: The accumulated daily number of steps among children is in accordance with international recommendations. Boys accumulated a significantly higher number of steps than girls (p = 0.019). The average time children spent in sedentary activities was 473 minutes per day, with no significant gender differences. Children who more frequently engaged in joint physical activities with their families accumulated a higher number of daily steps on average (r = 0.243; p = 0.031).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a satisfactory level of physical activity among preschool children in the city of Osijek and highlight the importance of joint family activities in promoting children’s movement. The family environment appears to be an important determinant in shaping healthy lifestyle habits and preventing sedentary behavior in children.
Keywords
preschool children; number of steps; sedentary behavior; physical coactivity within the family, Osijek
Hrčak ID:
346874
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2025.
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