ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3533-5406
Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1134-0898
Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies
The School of Sport and Health Science, Tokai Gakuen University
Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
Department of Development and Environmental Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3038-7202
Division of Biomedical Engineering for Health and Welfare, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering
2025 Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 81-89
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the association between cumulative maternal physical activity level and their children’s physical activity in early childhood. We also compared the influence of each maternal physical activity on children’s physical activity in early childhood.
Methods: We analyzed the data from 1,067 Japanese mother-child pairs. Maternal physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Cumulative physical activity level in mothers was computed based on the categories (low, moderate, and high) of physical activity from five time points (pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, 1.5, 3.5, and 5.5 years postpartum). Children’s physical activity level was measured at age 5.5 years using the WHO Health Behaviour School-aged Children questionnaire and defined as engaging in physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day for more than 5 days. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between maternal and children’s physical activity levels.
Results: The results showed the positive association between cumulative maternal physical activity and children’s physical activity level (P for trend < 0.001). Furthermore, maternal physical activity during pregnancy (P for trend = 0.031) and 5.5 years postpartum (P for trend < 0.001) was positively associated with children’s physical activity.
Conclusion: A positive association was observed between the cumulative maternal physical activity level and the physical activity level of their children at 5.5 years of age. Furthermore, maternal physical activity during pregnancy and at 5.5 years postpartum were positively associated with the level of children’s physical activity.