Socioeconomic Status and Physical Activity among Mothers of Young Children in an Asian City: The Mediating Role of Household Activities and Domestic Help

Abstract

Mothers of preschoolers (3 to 5 years old) risk being physically inactive. This study aimed to examine associations between socioeconomic status (education, employment, income) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among mothers of preschoolers in Hong Kong. Family functioning (e.g., having a domestic helper, division of household chores and child-related activities) was explored as a potential mediator of associations between socioeconomic indicators and the mother’s self-reported MVPA. Using zero-inflated negative binomial modelling confounder-adjusted associations between socioeconomic indicators and MVPA (total effects) were estimated. Mediation analyses (joint-significance test) were also performed. Using generalized linear mixed models, intermediate pathways were identified. No significant total effects of any socioeconomic indicator on the mother’s MVPA were found. However, mediation analyses identified a complex network of inconsistent mediators partly explaining their associations via eight pathways. Also, whilst non-residents/extended family playing with the child(ren) was not associated with any socioeconomic indicator, this was negatively associated with the mother’s MVPA. A further pathway was mediated by the mother playing with her child(ren). Extended family playing with the child(ren) was inversely associated with the mother doing so. Associations between socioeconomic indicators and MVPA among preschoolers’ mothers are complex and inconsistent, requiring further investigation in diverse contexts. Encouraging active play with their preschoolers may increase mothers’ physical activity levels.