Article
Physical Activity of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
International Journal of Disability, Development and Education
(2016)
Abstract
A preliminary study was conducted to investigate the physical activity status of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related demographic characteristics. Thirty-four parents completed the IPAQ-S and demographic survey. Mean metabolic equivalent-minutes per week (MET-min/week) across participants was 3371. Significant correlations were found between parent’s age and moderate (τ = .287, p = .034) and vigorous (τ = .318, p = .020) physical activity minutes as well as vigorous (τ = .308, p = .021) and total (τ = .366, p = .005) MET-min/week. Similarly, significant correlations were found between child’s age and walking minutes (τ = .412, p = .002), walking MET-min/week (τ = .380, p = .005) and total MET-min/week (τ = .342, p = .010). This study provides current evidence about the physical activity participation of parents of children with ASD, and demonstrates a need for further research exploring barriers and facilitators towards physical activity for this population.
Keywords
- Autism spectrum disorder,
- disability,
- health,
- obesity,
- parents,
- parents of children with disabilities,
- physical activity,
- physical education
Disciplines
Publication Date
October 5, 2016
DOI
10.1080/1034912X.2016.1232375
Publisher Statement
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Citation Information
Justin A. Haegele, Jihyun Lee and Seung Ho Chang. "Physical Activity of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder" International Journal of Disability, Development and Education Vol. 64 Iss. 4 (2016) ISSN: 1034-912X Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jihyun-lee/7/