Parental Perceptions of Risk and Children’s Physical Activity

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Otherpeer-review

Abstract

Despite the well-established mental and physical benefits of regular physical activity during childhood, many children in developed nations do not meet the recommended levels. Compared with several decades ago, children spend less of their leisure time outdoors in unstructured play and more time indoors often engaged in sedentary behaviors such as television viewing or playing with electronic entertainment media. They tend to spend less time walking and cycling from place to place and have less independent mobility (i.e., freedom to move around their neighborhoods without adult accompaniment). This chapter explores levels of active transport and independent mobility among Australian school-aged children. The concept of parental chauffeuring where children are driven to school and/or local destinations is explored as well as predictors of this behavior. Associations are examined among the following variables: parents’ perceptions of safety, of victimization, and of risk and constrained behavior. Recommendations are made for interventions or programs that aim to increase active transport and independent mobility by increasing perceptions of safety and lowering perceptions of risk.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRisk, Protection, Provision and Policy
EditorsClaire Freeman, Paul Tranter, Tracey Skelton
Place of PublicationSingapore
PublisherSpringer
Chapter12
Pages241-259
Number of pages19
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9789812870353, 9789812870360
ISBN (Print)9789812870346
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameGeographies of Children and Young People
PublisherSpringer
Volume12

Keywords

  • child
  • adolescent
  • active transport
  • independent mobility
  • risk
  • neighborhood
  • crime
  • safety

Cite this