Active children more likely in families with active parents

Australian parents are being urged to get active, with new research showing the health benefits can flow on to children.

Australian parents are being urged to get active, with new research highlighting the health benefits can flow on to their children.

Exclusive data obtained by News Corp Australia shows kids with sporty parents are more likely to be active themselves, growing up into mentally-strong, capable individuals.

The research conducted by AusPlay – Australia’s largest national physical activity surveyor – revealed 78 per cent of children under 15 who have at least one active parent are physically active in organised sport or activity outside of school.

This is compared to just 60 per cent of children with at least one inactive parent.

The survey found 90 per cent of children are physically active if at least one parent partakes or volunteers in sport versus 60 per cent if the parent is not involved in sport at all.

Luke Hogan and daughter Chloe during their workout at Crossfit Play. Picture: Adrian Fowler

“We all know being active can help us lead a happier and healthier life. Taking part in regular physical activity can improve our mental health and reduce the risk of depression,” Sport Australia acting CEO Rob Dalton said.

“Kids love to emulate the actions of the sporting stars they see on TV or in big stadiums, but the best sporting role models by a long way are Aussie mums and dads,” Mr Dalton said.

“There are plenty of ways you can get active with your family without it feeling like a chore. Take your dog for a walk, meet your friends at a local park or try our Tiny Trainers challenges.

“Sport Australia’s Find Your 30 website has practical suggestions to help you find 30 minutes of physical activity a day whether that’s at home, work, school or on the weekend. We want Australians to make their health and wellbeing a priority and work towards leading a more active lifestyle.”

Seven-year-old Lola Hogan at Crossfit Play's Juniors class. Picture: Adrian Fowler

Kareena and Luke Hogan are both CrossFit athletes – something that has rubbed off on their daughters Chloe, nine, and Lola, seven.

The family, originally from Melbourne but now living in Sydney, have been training in the CrossFit space for the past seven years.

“Lola would come to classes as young as six-weeks-old and watch from her pram as we worked out,” Mr Hogan said.

“Seven years later and Lola, now works out just the same as everyone else”.

The family continued to exercise even when COVID-19 forced gyms to close, instead taking their activities out doors.

“We went down to the park with barbells and a broomstick. Lola would be doing the same overhead squats under the broomstick load as we all worked out with the barbells,” Mr Hogan said.

“It’s vitally important for the kids to learn movement mechanics and mental resilience from what CrossFit puts you through. For me personally, it’s the time of the day I am able to go to my dark place, shut everything out and just grind”.

Kareena, Luke and daughter Chloe Hogan enjoy an Olympic Lift workout at Crossfit Play. Picture: Adrian Fowler

Chloe and Lola are also active swimmers and take part in school sports.

“It’s not just the physical improvements we see, Chloe also has a new sense of mental fortitude that comes from training past thresholds set by our own minds,” Mr Hogan said.

“We’ve tried to instil lasting healthy habits from an early age.”

THE FINDINGS INCLUDE:

• 78 per cent of children under 15 who have at least one active parent are physically active in organised sport or physical activity outside of school compared to just 62 per cent of children with at least one inactive parent;
• 90 per cent of children under 15 active out of school if at least one parent is physically active and volunteers in sport;
• 70 per cent active when at least one parent is physically active (but doesn’t volunteer in sport);
• 60 per cent when the parent is not involved as a player or volunteer;
• Child participation in club sport is 62 per cent of children more likely to participate in club sport when the parent is a player;
• 46 per cent participate when the parent is a player but not in club sport.

Source: Sport Australia’s AusPlay