Influence of Friends on Children's Physical Activity: a Review

Overview

Journal Am J Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 2013 May 18

PMID 23678914

Citations 56

Authors

Claire C Maturo

Solveig A Cunningham

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We examined evidence for friendship influences on children's physical activity (PA) through systematic searches of online databases in May 2012. We identified 106 studies (25 qualitative) published in English since 2000 that analyzed indicators of friendship influences (e.g., communication about PA, friends' PA, and PA with friends) among persons younger than 19 years. Children's PA was positively associated with encouragement from friends (43 of 55 studies indicating a positive relationship), friends' own PA (30/35), and engagement with friends in PA (9/10). These findings are consistent with friends influencing PA, but most studies did not isolate influence from other factors that could explain similarity. Understanding friendship influences in childhood can facilitate the promotion of lifelong healthy habits. PA with friends should be considered in health promotion programs.

Citing Articles

Identifying data gaps in early childhood physical activity evidence.

Wimberly J, Nguyen A, Memoli E, Kasman M, Heerman B, Pate R Front Pediatr. 2024; 12:1485500.

PMID: 39639953 PMC: 11617195. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1485500.

Association of children's electronic media use with physical activity, cognitive function, and stress.

Cohen D, Zarr R, Estrada E, Zhong H, Han B Prev Med. 2024; 190:108184.

PMID: 39592015 PMC: 11684788. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108184.

Disentangling associations between pubertal development, healthy activity behaviors, and sex in adolescent social networks.

Pachucki M, Hoyt L, Niu L, Carbonaro R, Tu H, Sirard J PLoS One. 2024; 19(5):e0300715.

PMID: 38753625 PMC: 11098364. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300715.

Implementation processes of social network interventions for physical activity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents: a scoping review.

Petro-Petro J, Arango-Paternina C, Patino-Villada F, Ramirez-Villada J, Brownson R BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):1101.

PMID: 38649855 PMC: 11034017. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18615-6.

Which aspects of education are health protective? a life course examination of early education and adulthood cardiometabolic health in the 30-year study of early child care and Youth Development (SECCYD).

Bleil M, Roisman G, Hamilton D, Magro S, Appelhans B, Gregorich S BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):1092.

PMID: 38641792 PMC: 11031877. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18560-4.

References

Huang Y, Wong S, Salmon J, Hui S . Reliability and validity of psychosocial and environmental correlates measures of physical activity and screen-based behaviors among Chinese children in Hong Kong. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011; 8:16. PMC: 3065395. DOI: 10.1186/1479-5868-8-16. View

Gesell S, Tesdahl E, Ruchman E . The distribution of physical activity in an after-school friendship network. Pediatrics. 2012; 129(6):1064-71. PMC: 3362907. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-2567. View

Kelly E, Parra-Medina D, Pfeiffer K, Dowda M, Conway T, Webber L . Correlates of physical activity in black, Hispanic, and white middle school girls. J Phys Act Health. 2010; 7(2):184-93. PMC: 2937261. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.7.2.184. View

Leggett C, Irwin M, Griffith J, Xue L, Fradette K . Factors associated with physical activity among Canadian high school students. Int J Public Health. 2011; 57(2):315-24. DOI: 10.1007/s00038-011-0306-0. View

Kirby J, Levin K, Inchley J . Parental and peer influences on physical activity among Scottish adolescents: a longitudinal study. J Phys Act Health. 2011; 8(6):785-93. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.8.6.785. View

Thompson J, Davis S, Gittelsohn J, Going S, Becenti A, Metcalfe L . Patterns of physical activity among American Indian children: an assessment of barriers and support. J Community Health. 2002; 26(6):423-45. PMC: 4890467. DOI: 10.1023/a:1012507323784. View

Humbert M, Chad K, Bruner M, Spink K, Muhajarine N, Anderson K . Using a naturalistic ecological approach to examine the factors influencing youth physical activity across grades 7 to 12. Health Educ Behav. 2006; 35(2):158-73. DOI: 10.1177/1090198106287451. View

Price S, McDivitt J, Weber D, Wolff L, Massett H, Fulton J . Correlates of weight-bearing physical activity among adolescent girls: results from a national survey of girls and their parents. J Phys Act Health. 2008; 5(1):132-45. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.5.1.132. View

Sharma S, Hoelscher D, Kelder S, Diamond P, Day R, Hergenroeder A . A path analysis to identify the psychosocial factors influencing physical activity and bone health in middle-school girls. J Phys Act Health. 2009; 6(5):606-16. PMC: 3077892. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.6.5.606. View

10.

Vu M, Murrie D, Gonzalez V, Jobe J . Listening to girls and boys talk about girls' physical activity behaviors. Health Educ Behav. 2006; 33(1):81-96. PMC: 2430756. DOI: 10.1177/1090198105282443. View

11.

Peeters C, Marchand H, Tulloch H, Sigal R, Goldfield G, Hadjiyannakis S . Perceived facilitators, barriers, and changes in a randomized exercise trial for obese youth: a qualitative inquiry. J Phys Act Health. 2011; 9(5):650-60. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.9.5.650. View

12.

Lytle L, Murray D, Evenson K, Moody J, Pratt C, Metcalfe L . Mediators affecting girls' levels of physical activity outside of school: findings from the trial of activity in adolescent girls. Ann Behav Med. 2009; 38(2):124-36. PMC: 2819204. DOI: 10.1007/s12160-009-9127-2. View

13.

Ommundsen Y, Klasson-Heggebo L, Anderssen S . Psycho-social and environmental correlates of location-specific physical activity among 9- and 15- year-old Norwegian boys and girls: the European Youth Heart Study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2006; 3:32. PMC: 1592114. DOI: 10.1186/1479-5868-3-32. View

14.

Barnekow-Bergkvist M, Hedberg G, Janlert U, Jansson E . Physical activity pattern in men and women at the ages of 16 and 34 and development of physical activity from adolescence to adulthood. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1996; 6(6):359-70. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.1996.tb00108.x. View

15.

Kitzman-Ulrich H, Wilson D, Van Horn M, Lawman H . Relationship of body mass index and psychosocial factors on physical activity in underserved adolescent boys and girls. Health Psychol. 2010; 29(5):506-13. DOI: 10.1037/a0020853. View

16.

Spear B, Barlow S, Ervin C, Ludwig D, Saelens B, Schetzina K . Recommendations for treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity. Pediatrics. 2007; 120 Suppl 4:S254-88. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-2329F. View

17.

Kahn J, Huang B, Gillman M, Field A, Austin S, Colditz G . Patterns and determinants of physical activity in U.S. adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2008; 42(4):369-77. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.11.143. View

18.

Mekary R, Feskanich D, Malspeis S, Hu F, Willett W, Field A . Physical activity patterns and prevention of weight gain in premenopausal women. Int J Obes (Lond). 2009; 33(9):1039-47. PMC: 2746452. DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2009.127. View

19.

Salvy S, Roemmich J, Bowker J, Romero N, Stadler P, Epstein L . Effect of peers and friends on youth physical activity and motivation to be physically active. J Pediatr Psychol. 2008; 34(2):217-25. PMC: 3202936. DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsn071. View

20.

Duncan S, Duncan T, Strycker L . Sources and types of social support in youth physical activity. Health Psychol. 2005; 24(1):3-10. DOI: 10.1037/0278-6133.24.1.3. View