The University of British Columbia
UBC - A Place of Mind
The University of British Columbia Okanagan campus
UBC Okanagan News
  • Home
  • Services for Media
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Submit Your Story
  • Events
  • Contact
Home / 2016 / September / 12 / Many parents lack the confidence to get their kids to exercise

Many parents lack the confidence to get their kids to exercise

By Matthew Grant on September 12, 2016

If Canadian parents are going to get their kids to exercise more, they need more than just public awareness campaigns.

Parents exposed to one such national campaign were actually less confident they could increase their children's activity levels, according to a recent UBC study.

"With statistics outside this study showing 88 per cent of parents believe their children exercise enough and only seven per cent of kids meet recommended guidelines, it is clear more needs to be done," says Heather Gainforth, an assistant professor of health and exercise sciences at UBC's Okanagan campus. "While mass media campaigns appear to increase awareness, parents need the support of public policies and programs to help them successfully encourage behaviour change.

"Without that support, parents may not have the tools they need to help their kids become more active."

As part of her study, Gainforth surveyed 700 parents of children aged 5 to 17 across Canada three months after ParticipACTION’s 2011 “Think Again” campaign aired, and another 700 parents 15 months after.

Gainforth's study found that parents who saw the campaign were on average less confident that they could encourage their kids to exercise more.

The campaign was designed to raise awareness among parents of physical activity guidelines, which call for kids to get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise a day.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), a lack of exercise is one of the contributing factors that has led more than 25 per cent of Canadian children to become overweight or obese.

Weight problems, according to the PHAC, are a contributor to increased incidents of Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure in children and young people.

Gainforth's study was recently published in the journal of Health, Education and Behaviour. To find out more, visit: heb.sagepub.com/content/43/4/434.abstract

Assist. Prof. Heather Gainforth

Assist. Prof. Heather Gainforth

—30—

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Posted in Media Releases | Tagged Faculty of Health and Social Development, Research, School of Health and Exercise Sciences

  • Previous
  • Next

Contact

Matthew Grant
Associate Director
Public Affairs

The University of British Columbia
Okanagan campus
Tel: 250-807-9926
E-mail: matthew.grant@ubc.ca

See other posts by Matthew Grant

UBC Okanagan Events

See what’s happening at UBC Okanagan. Explore the events calendar for performances, talks, workshops, community events, info sessions, and more.

View Events

Archives

UBC's Okanagan News
Okanagan Campus
3333 University Way
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7
Find us on
  
Back to top
The University of British Columbia
  • Emergency Procedures |
  • Terms of Use |
  • Copyright |
  • Accessibility
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.