title: Parental physical activity, safety perceptions and children's independent mobility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Parents are likely to be a basic influence on their children's behavior. There is an absence of information about the associations between parents' physical activity and perception of neighborhood environment with children's independent mobility.The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of parental physical activity and perception of neighborhood safety to children's independent mobility.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study of 354 pupils and their parents, independent mobility, perceptions of neighborhood safety and physical activity were evaluated by questionnaire. Categorical principal components analyses were used to determine the underlying dimensions of both independent mobility and perceptions of neighborhood safety items.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The strongest predictor of independent mobility was the parental perception of sidewalk and street safety (beta = 0.132). Parent's physical activity was also a significant predictor. The final model accounted for 13.0% of the variance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parental perception of neighborhood safety and parents' self reported physical activity might be associated with children's independent mobility. Further research in this topic is needed to explore this possible association.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa 91, Porto 4200-450, Portugal. msantos@fade.up.pt
authors.forename: Maria Paula
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Andreia N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Pizarro
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Elisa A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Marques
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010465:Perception; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012449:Safety; D057185:Sedentary Behavior