ATTITUDES TOWARD HEALTHY HABITS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN OUTDOORS

Abstract

Due to the modern lifestyle and new technologies, the level of physical activity among children and parents is increasingly declining. The aim of this study was to examine attitudes and propose the best solutions for adopting healthy habits among children and parents outdoors. Data collection was completed in 2023 as part of the Erasmus+ project PROGRESS (Promoting Green Strategies in Sport). The survey included 698 respondents from seven nations, including 113 from Serbia, 102 from Bulgaria, 82 from Belgium, 101 from Slovakia, and 100 from Romania, Italy, and Greece. The sample included coaches, parents and teachers. A 12-question survey was constructed using the Google platform to examine the awareness and importance of physical activity among parents and children. According to the study's findings, 45.7% of respondents who live in urban areas exhibit sedentary habits, although knowing that more than 80% of respondents are aware of the benefits of sports and exercise for their health. Sources such as social media, TV shows, and conversations with friends were named by 50% of respondents as key ways to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity. Over 80% of respondents agreed that the problem of decreasing activity is not attributable to infrastructure such as parks, sports fields, schools, or children's playgrounds, but rather to a lack of time and interaction between children and their parents. According to the study respondents, increased interaction in forms of play between children and parents would be extremely beneficial to promoting outdoor physical activity.