Who encourages youth to be active? A structural equation modelling analysis of parental support: ACTIBESE Project

Background. Parents play a central role in influencing physical activity (PA) behaviours in children and adolescents. Parental influence operates through two key mechanisms: role modelling and support. This study aimed to examine how maternal and paternal PA and support behaviours predict moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among children and adolescents, and whether these associations vary according to child age and parental gender in a Latin American context. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 780 parents (390 mothers and 390 fathers) and 390 school-aged children (193 boys and 197 girls), with 61.8% (n = 241) of the sample composed of adolescents. PA levels were assessed using the Youth Activity Profile (YAP) questionnaire, and parental support was measured using a 5-item Likert scale. The analysis followed a three-step approach: (1) Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to identify the underlying factor structure of parental support behaviours, (2) Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to validate the factor structure and assess model fit, and (3) Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test predictive relationships. Results . Five factors were found in mothers associated with encouragement, logistical and Co-activity, and three in fathers related to encouragement and parental regulatory support, in the EFA and CFA. Parental support predicted MVPA in age-specific ways: among children, maternal encouragement was positively associated with MVPA, while combined co-activity and regulation showed a negative association. Among adolescents, structured forms of support, particularly from mothers, were positively associated with MVPA. Conclusions. These findings highlight the importance of developmentally and culturally tailored interventions. Strategies aimed at increasing adolescent PA should prioritize maternal involvement, while approaches for children may require more balanced engagement from both parents.