Over half of adults believe they were more physically active as children compared to today’s generation of kids. However, only about two in five children (37%) think their parents are “fit and healthy”.
This discrepancy highlights a potential gap between adults’ perceptions of their own childhood activity levels and how their current fitness is viewed by their children. It suggests that while adults may reminisce about being more active in their youth, they may not be modelling the same level of physical activity for their own children.
The findings come from separate polls conducted by ukactive and a kids’ insight agency called Beano Brain. This data points to an interesting dynamic in how different generations perceive physical activity and health within families.
These results underscore the importance of parents actively demonstrating healthy behaviours, as children are keen observers of their parents’ habits. Research shows that when parents encourage exercise and model healthy behaviours themselves, their children are more likely to be active and develop healthy eating habits.
The study highlights the need for families to prioritise physical activity together, potentially bridging the gap between adults’ memories of active childhoods and the reality of their current fitness levels as perceived by their children.
To find out more, see here.
