Mapping the physical condition, peer and parental support, and MVPA: a network analysis in schoolchildren from the ACTIBESE project

Active behaviour denotes any type of movement that enhances overall physical well-being, a trend that has seen a gradual decline among schoolchildren globally. This study aimed to examine the complex interplay between physical condition, peer and parental support, and moderate and vigorous physical activity, both inside and outside school, using network analysis in a sample of Chilean children and adolescents.

The sample includes 655 schoolchildren aged 8 to 16. Instruments used include a questionnaire for sociodemographic and physical activity (PA) variables, assessing factors like gender, age, socioeconomic level, PA levels, self-perceived physical condition, and parental and peer support for PA. Descriptive statistics were used alongside linear regression to establish associations. Network Analysis, utilising the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm, was employed to visualise relationships between variables. Centrality indices were calculated to determine variables' influence within the network, while sparsity values indicated network density.

In children, recess-related activity strongly correlates with moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), whereas in adolescents, MVPA is associated with activities during recess, lunchtime, and physical education classes. Parental support plays a significant role, particularly in adolescents. Outside school PA is well connected among peer support nodes in both children and adolescents, while adolescents show stronger connections with parental support, socioeconomic variables, and physical condition nodes. Notably, friends' encouragement and parental support were significantly associated with PA behaviours in both age groups.

Outside school PA, parental and peer support have a strong association with MVPA in children and adolescents.