Authors

• State Youth Council
• National Sports Council
• Finnish Youth Research Society

Keywords

childhood, children, exercise (physical activity), hobbies, leisure time, leisure time activities, social life, sport, well-being (health)

Abstract

The survey studied the leisure time activities and physical activity of Finnish children aged 7-9. In addition to organised sport, everyday physical activities were also included in the study's definition of physical activity. The interviews were conducted with children aged 7-9 and their parents or guardians. The study was funded by the State Youth Council.

First, the parents of the respondents were asked whether their child had any hobbies (not only organised activities but also hobbies that the child might do by themselves at home), whether the parents themselves took part in the child's hobby (e.g. by taking the child to practice, acting as a coach), and how often, if so. The child's screen time was also surveyed.

The child's physical activity was charted by asking the parents whether the child had any hobbies that included some form of exercise, whether the child took part in any organised sports, how many days a week the child was physically active at least 60 minutes a day, time spent in vigorous exercise, and whether the child would like to exercise more in their leisure time or take part in a certain kind of exercise. Monthly expenses associated with the child's hobbies that included physical activity were also examined.

Those parents who indicated that their child did not take part in exercise in their leisure time were asked about the child's reasons for not exercising (e.g. the child doesn't enjoy exercise, the kind of exercise the child would like to do is too expensive, the child has a disability or illness that makes it difficult to take part in exercise). Those parents/guardians who indicated that their child took part in exercise in their leisure time were asked to estimate how often the child took part in certain forms exercise (e.g. practices, competitions or matches organised by a sports club, school-organised sports clubs, cycling or playing outside independently) and how well several statements applied to the child's current hobbies that included physical activity (e.g. it is affordable, the child enjoys the hobby, the coaching is of high quality).

The next set of questions focused on leisure time from the children's perspective. The children were asked how much leisure time they felt they had, what activities they did in their leisure time (e.g. writing, drawing or painting, playing an instrument or singing, reading, playing video games) and how often they did these activities.

The children's physical activity was charted by asking how often they exercised in their leisure time, if they would like to exercise more or take part in a certain kind of exercise, and if they took part in any organised sports. Reasons for exercising and not exercising were also investigated.

Background variables included the family's region of residence, type of neighbourhood, type of municipality, the child's gender and mother tongue, highest education level attained by mother/female guardian and father/male guardian, and the family's household composition and financial situation.