Examining cross-sectional associations between Australian parents' physical activity levels and their parenting confidence.

Background: Previous research suggests that parenting confidence is important for child outcomes but what could influence parenting confidence is less clear. This study aims to examine associations between parental physical activity and general and physical activity-specific parenting confidence.

Methods: Baseline data from the Let's Grow randomised controlled trial of 1481 parents (1338 mothers and 143 fathers) were used. Parent physical activity was device-assessed and self-reported. An adapted version of the HAPPY scale and the Me as a Parent scale were used to assess physical activity-specific and general parenting confidence respectively. Associations were assessed separately for mothers and fathers via linear regressions adjusted for parents' age, education, and siblings.

Results: Self-reported physical activity was positively associated with general and physical activity-specific parenting confidence for mothers (β = 0.19, CI = 0.0, 0.34 and β = 0.04, CI = 0.02, 0.05 respectively). No associations were found between device-assessed physical activity and either parenting confidence for mothers. No associations were found for fathers.

Conclusions: Self-reported physical activity was most robustly associated with physical activity-specific parenting confidence for mothers. A similar pattern was observed for fathers but the smaller sample size widened confidence intervals. Mothers' perceptions of their physical activity may be an important consideration for future research. Understanding these associations may help to support parents in achieving optimal health outcomes for both themselves and their children.