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Influence of friends on children's physical activity: A review

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  • Maturo, C.C.
  • Cunningham, S.A.

Abstract

We examined evidence for friendship influences on children's physical activity (PA) through systematic searches of online databases in May 2012. We identified 106 studies (25 qualitative) published in English since 2000 that analyzed indicators of friendship influences (e.g., communication about PA, friends' PA, and PA with friends) among persons younger than 19 years. Children's PA was positively associated with encouragement from friends (43 of 55 studies indicating a positive relationship), friends' own PA (30/35), and engagement with friends in PA (9/10). These findings are consistent with friends influencing PA, but most studies did not isolate influence from other factors that could explain similarity. Understanding friendship influences in childhood can facilitate the promotion of lifelong healthy habits. PA with friends should be considered in health promotion programs. Copyright © 2012 by the American Public Health Association®.

Suggested Citation

  • Maturo, C.C. & Cunningham, S.A., 2013. "Influence of friends on children's physical activity: A review," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(7), pages 23-38.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301366_6
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301366
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    Cited by:

    1. Changqing Xiang & Jie Zhao & Tengku Fadilah Tengku Kamalden & Wenting Dong & Hua Luo & Normala Ismail, 2023. "The effectiveness of child and adolescent sports engagement in China: an analysis of China’s results for the 2016–2022 Global Matrix report cards on physical activity," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Ruth Salway & Lydia Emm-Collison & Simon J. Sebire & Janice L. Thompson & Deborah A. Lawlor & Russell Jago, 2019. "A Multilevel Analysis of Neighbourhood, School, Friend and Individual-Level Variation in Primary School Children’s Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Myriam Alvariñas-Villaverde & Javier Martínez-Torres & Belén Toja-Reboredo & Miguel González-Valeiro, 2022. "Prediction Model for Physical Activity Level in Primary School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-11, March.
    4. Sabina B. Gesell & Kayla de la Haye & Evan C. Sommer & Santiago J. Saldana & Shari L. Barkin & Edward H. Ip, 2020. "Identifying Social Network Conditions that Facilitate Sedentary Behavior Change: The Benefit of Being a “Bridge” in a Group-based Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Natalia Arias & María Dolores Calvo & José Alberto Benítez-Andrades & María José Álvarez & Beatriz Alonso-Cortés & Carmen Benavides, 2018. "Socioeconomic Status in Adolescents: A Study of Its Relationship with Overweight and Obesity and Influence on Social Network Configuration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, September.
    6. Masoud Javadpoor & Ali Soltani & Leila Fatehnia & Negin Soltani, 2023. "How the Built Environment Moderates Gender Gap in Active Commuting to Schools," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-16, January.

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