Parent’s Sense of Coherence Associated With and Predicting Energy-balance Related Behaviors Among 10-11-year old Children?

Abstract

Background: Associations between parent’s Sense of Coherence (SOC) and schoolchildren’s energy-balance related eating habits have been found. This study examines if parent’s SOC is associated with other energy-balance related behaviors; screen time, sleep duration, and physical activity, and whether parent’s SOC predicts the change in behaviors. Methods: Finnish schoolchildren (n=1268, RR 79%), aged 10-11, reported their screen time, sleep duration, and physical activity (PA) in autumn 2006. Simultaneously, one parent filled-in a questionnaire comprising SOC-13. In spring 2008, a follow-up was conducted among schoolchildren. Parent-child dyads were 747 in 2006 and 475 in 2008. Linear regression was used in the analyses. Findings: A stronger parent’s SOC in 2006 was associated with schoolchildren’s less screen time, and longer sleep duration. A stronger parent’s SOC did not predict the change in energy-related behaviors in 2008. Discussion: The associations found were energy-related behaviors conducted at home, sleep duration and screen time, but not for out of home activities as PA. A stronger parent’s SOC might not be a preventing factor for children’s behavior.