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Physical Activity of Mexican-Heritage Youth During the Summer and School-Year: The Role of Parenting Strategies

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Abstract

Mexican-heritage youth living along the U.S.-Mexico border have higher rates of obesity than non-Hispanic Whites. Parenting strategies may influence youth physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) mitigating these obesity rates; however, parenting strategies have not been well examined in Hispanic cultures. Therefore, we examined relationships between parenting strategies and PA and SB of Mexican-heritage youth. Mother-child dyads (n = 121 dyads) were surveyed during the summer and school-year. Quantile regression estimated relationships between parenting strategies, and PA and SB. Summer. Reinforcement was negatively associated with moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) among more active youth (β = −364.4); limit setting was negatively associated with SB among less sedentary youth (β = −23.3); and use of discipline was negatively associated with sedentary screen time in youth reporting less screen use (β = −3.2). School-year. Males reported more MVPA (773.9 min/week) than females (738.7 min/week). Reinforcement was positively associated with weekly MVPA among more active youth (β = 173.6), fewer sedentary minutes/week among all youth, and fewer sedentary screen time minutes among less sedentary youth (β = −6.4). Parenting strategies are related with PA and SB. Investigators should focus on identifying modifiable parenting strategies to address the various needs presented during summertime and school-year for Mexican-heritage youth.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the participants of this study and the promotora-researchers and other research team members, whose time, effort, and willingness made this project possible. Specifically we want to acknowledge the time and leadership of promotora-researchers Elva Beltra and Maria Garza; and data management by Susannah Barr, Jasmin Sumrall, and Shana Walsh.

Funding

This project was supported through two funding mechanisms that we would like to acknowledge: Baylor University, Young Investigator Development Program Grant (2013-2014) and USDA-NIFA (#2015-68001-23234).

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  1. Department of Health, Human Performance, & Recreation, Baylor University, One Bear Place, #97313, Waco, TX, 76798, USA

    Megan Elizabeth McClendon, M. Renée Umstattd Meyer & Kelly R. Ylitalo

  2. Texas A&M University, School of Public Health, College Station, Texas, USA

    Joseph R. Sharkey

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McClendon, M.E., Umstattd Meyer, M.R., Ylitalo, K.R. et al. Physical Activity of Mexican-Heritage Youth During the Summer and School-Year: The Role of Parenting Strategies. J Community Health 42, 1102–1110 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-017-0358-z

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