Parental Perceptions of Physical Activity and Risk of Disease Associated with Sedentary Behaviours in Infants and Toddlers.

Objectives: The current study intends to measure parents' perceptions of newborn and toddler physical activity.

Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted at the pediatric clinic at a University Hospital in Riyadh. The parents or guardians of children 0 to 3 years of age, healthy infants, and toddlers who visited the vaccination and pediatric clinic at a University Hospital in Riyadh, were recruited. The Parental Perceptions of Physical Activity Scale (PPPAS) was translated into the Arabic language. The Chi-square test was applied to observe the association between categorical variables. P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: A total of 383 parents were recruited. There was a significant association observed between physical activity and income, employment, and education. A significant association was observed between the following perceptions; the child enjoys physical activity, it increases the child's fitness level, the strength of the muscles, flexibility, and life span, improves happiness, keeps the child active, and provides a sense of achievement, and decrease future weight problems.

Conclusion For Practice: The study determined that parental inclination towards engaging in a physical activity intervention for their infants, as well as identifying any concerns that may impact their children's adherence to physical activity was satisfied.