Comparison of parental support for physical activity in children aged 8-10 years in Italy, Finland and China

This study aimed to examine cultural differences in physical activity parenting between children living in Italy, Finland, and China. The Physical Activity Parenting questionnaire for Children (PAP-C) was used to assess perceived parental physical activity support. This cross-sectional study examined cultural variations using PAP-C among 1,092 children (8–10 years) from Italy (n = 292), Finland (n = 362), and China (n = 438). Finnish children reported higher structure and autonomy support than Italian and Chinese peers (p < .001), whereas Chinese children perceived greater autonomy and involvement than Italian children (p < .001). Italian girls reported lower parental support across all dimensions (p < .001). Cultural context influenced parenting approaches: Finnish parents’ emphasis on autonomy reflects values of independence, whereas Italian and Chinese parents prioritized family responsibilities. Future research should explore how these cross-cultural differences impact children’s long- term physical activity patterns, with culturally tailored interventions to enhance parental strategies promoting lifelong activity habits.