FAMILIAL AGGREGATION OF LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY - A 3 GENERATION STUDY

Studies of parental influence on children's physical activity have had different results. Parental effect on physical activity during adoles cence is less studied, and three generation studies have not been carr ied out. The purpose of our study was to examine intra-and intergenera tional associations of leisure time physical activity among family mem bers in three generations. Due to the major changes in society during this time, we also took into consideration the socioeconomic status of the adult subjects. The material consisted of 3254 twins at the age o f 16, their parents and grandparents. Twins and their parents received a questionnaire in 1991-1993, which included questions about the heal th and lifestyle, socioeconomic status and leisure time physical activ ity. The parents' questionnaire also included questions about their ow n parents' leisure time physical activity and socioeconomic status. Ba sed on these questions adolescents, parents and grandparents were clas sified into physical activity classes. The socioeconomic classificatio n of parents and grandparents was based on their occupation. Intragene rational physical activity patterns were significantly associated with each other. Among adolescents the strongest correlation were between monozygotic boys (0.720) and monozygotic girls (0.638). Physical activ ity patterns were not associated between generations, but there was a significant difference between very active and inactive mothers concer ning their daughters' physical activity. Farmers had the lowest propor tion of very active subjects only among the parental generation. Becau se physical activity patterns do not appear to be transmitted from one generation to the next, it is probable that by constant training and education we can obtain the benefits of physical activity.