Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between a child's physical fitness (BMI) and parental factors, and which parental factors were the best predictors of a child's BMI. The participants (N=133) were children from Korean elementary schools (3th - 4th graders) and their parents. They completed a questionnaire packet including demographics, the SPARK (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids) survey and the parent equivalent survey. To address the research question, a regression analysis was computed (p < .05). The findings of this study would suggest that three parental factors out of 12 factors contributed to a child's BMI. Among the factors, mother's BMI was the best predictor (p < .01). These results indicate that selected parental factors are closely related to a child's BMI. More attention to parental factors that are specific to a particular age may improve a child's physical fitness (BMI).