The Relation of Single Parent-Status in Physical Activity and Body Mass Index of Childhood

• Main Authors: Lin, Che-Hung, 林哲宏
• Other Authors: Kuo, Chia-Hua
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/73311320717991917229

博士 === 臺北市立大學 === 競技運動訓練研究所 === 103 === Purpose: To determine the link of parental status of children growth and physical activity measures. Methods: In this study, anthropometric data, including weight, height and body mass index (BMI) from sixth grade students from 147 elementary schools in Taipei city for the past 6 years were tracked. Recent physical activity and sedentary behavior of schoolchildren were also collected. In study 1, we compared the differences of schoolchildren’s physical status and physical activity measures among different parental status. In study 2, we compared schoolchildren’s physical status and sedentary behaviors between schoolchildren from maternal and paternal single parent status. Results: Study 1 showed that boy from single-parent family is significantly shorter in height than boy from normal family at fifth and sixth grade. Compared to normal family, children from single parent family spent more time on sedentary behavior, such as playing computer, video games, listening to music and watching TV. Boys from single-parent family spent fewer time on outdoor activity than normal family. Furthermore, girl from single-parent family spent less time on outdoor activity than girl from normal family. Study 2 found that girls from maternal family had higher BMI value compared to those from paternal family. Girls from maternal family spent more time in sedentary indoor activity than those from paternal family. Conclusion: This study suggests that single parent status is a disadvantage for physical development of children, which is associated with a more sedentary behavior. The unfavorable influence appears to be more serious among those girls from maternal single parent family.