Hälsa och hoppfullhet : En kvantitativ studie om föräldraskap, hälsa och hopp.

Sammanfattning: Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of global mortality. Illness due to lack of physical activity occurs more or less in different groups. Women and children have been shown to be expanding risk groups for inactivity, overweight and its consequential diseases. The problem is believed to be the bottom line of women's major responsibility for home and family where time and energy are not sufficient for their own involvement in physical activity. Parents lifestyle and health attitudes are reproduced by their children, therefore an approach to good health is desirable, partly to promote the future health of each child, but also to avoid several generations with unhealthy behaviour. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the physical activity habits of parents and to investigate whether trait hope influences the physical activity level and health in relation to parenting. It is also at interest to look at gender differences in physical activity, hope and health among parents with small children. Method: 106 respondents participated in the study (80 women and 26 men). All were parents between the ages of 25 and 44. A questionnaire was used to measure: physical activity level, trait hope, perceived stress, perceived general health, motivation and opportunity for physical activity. Results: Hopefulness showed no significant correlation with physical activity, however, it did with other interesting health indicators. There are some differences between the physical activity level of mothers and fathers where fathers reported a higher level of physical activity, but also more time sedentary than the mothers. Conclusion: Hopefulness as a trait can to a certain extent predict and thus indicate a direction for the current state of health of parents. For example, hopeful parents seem to be less stressed and to experience their overall health better. Future research on how men's health is affected by parenting and more concrete suggestions of interventions is a desirable continuation to promote health in families with small children.