Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Parent-Child Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Correlations Across Childhood Developmental Stages and Sex-Specific Dyads.

Background

Parent-child moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) correlation is a potentially important driver of children's activity levels; however, the magnitude and consistency of this correlation across developmental stages remain unclear.

Methods

In accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines, PubMed and Web of Science were searched for observational studies reporting parent-child correlations in MVPA. Pearson r values were extracted directly or harmonized. Subgroup analyses examined child developmental stage, dyad type, study quality, and analysis type. Heterogeneity (I2), publication bias (Egger's test and funnel plots), study-level bias (NHLBI tool), and evidence confidence (SURE framework) were assessed.

Results

Thirty studies (children aged 3-16 y) met the inclusion criteria. The overall pooled parent-child MVPA correlation was r = .15 (95% CI, .13 to .17; I2 = 74.8%; P < .001). Correlations were robust across study quality (good vs fair: r = .16 vs .11) and analytical approach (crude vs adjusted: r = .16 vs .13). No substantial publication bias was detected in any of the subgroups, and overall evidence confidence was rated moderate.

Conclusions

Parent-child MVPA correlations are modest but consistent across development. To the authors knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to isolate MVPA exclusively and incorporate developmental-stage subgroup analyses. This synthesis advances prior reviews by demonstrating that the association persists from early childhood through adolescence.