ABSTRACT
Physical activity is an important health-related concern, and guidelines for adolescents’ health-related physical activity have been suggested[1]. An age-related decline in physical activity levels among youth has been identified[2], particularly during adoles- cence[3], and during childhood and adolescence most individuals develop and establish a range of health behaviours. The family can be considered a major initial socialising influence through which the framework of health behaviours develops. Perceived support from the family, peer group and teachers, as well as the opportunity to participate in organised sport from an early age, might be considered as reasonable conditions for the creation and continuation of an active lifestyle into the adult years[4]. However, there is little research into the specific components of family supportive behaviour for physical activity changes in children, from which types of support which are most, and/or least, effective can be determined. Relationships between family support and physical activity behaviour[5, 6], as well as family support and a high level of fitness[7] have been reported. Moreover, evidence suggests an association between parents’ and children’s physical activity levels[8, 9].
