Early life determinants of physical activity in 11 to 12 year olds (2008)

Objective: To examine factors in early life (up to age 5 years) that are associated with objectively measured physical activity in 11-12 year olds. Design Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Avon longitudinal study of parents and children, United Kingdom.

Conclusions: Few factors in early life predicted later physical activity in 11-12 year olds. Parents’ physical activity during pregnancy and early in the child’s life showed a modest association with physical activity of the child at age 11-12 years, suggesting that active parents tend to raise active children. Helping parents to increase their physical activity therefore may promote children’s activity.