Parent- child relationship of physical activity patterns and obesity

To study differences in physical activity between normal-weight and obese children, as well as parent-child associations of obesity and physical activity. Cross-sectional study. 129 obese children (67 girls and 62 boys), 142 normal-weight controls (81 boys and 61 girls), and mothers (n = 245) and fathers (n = 222) of the children. Physical activity was assessed by a 3-day physical activity record (children and parents), by a questionnaire (children), and by one question on habitual physical activity (parents). The data were analysed by stepwise linear and logistic regressions. Obesity was assessed from relative weight (children) and BMI (parents). Parent inactivity was a strong and positive predictor of child inactivity (beta-coefficients 0.25 and 0.16, P