The effect of parenthood on weekly physical activity in four OECD countries – A longitudinal analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID7474401
AuthorsPhilipp Linden (0000-0001-5592-3492, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, corresponding author), Nadine Reibling (0000-0001-5343-1611, Fulda University of Applied Sciences), Michael Kühhirt (0000-0001-9503-0488, TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences)
Year2026
Volume134
Pages103305
Publication date2026-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Science Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0049-089X • E-ISSN: 1096-0317
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ssresearch.2025.103305
OpenAlexW7117447212
LanguageEN
References cited72

This study investigates how parenthood affects weekly physical activity and explores how this effect varies by age of the child, parents’ gender, education, and the country context. A substantial body of literature reports parenthood to decline weekly physical activity, though with considerable variation across studies. Although sociological scholarships have long emphasized the diversity of parenthood, few studies have specifically examined the dynamic nature and heterogeneity of its impact on physical activity. This study advances existing knowledge by addressing these gaps, comparing the effect of parenthood over time and across different social and national contexts. In addition, data and methodological limitations are addressed by analyzing parenthood from three years before to ten and more years after birth and by using difference-in-difference estimation. The study harmonized household data for four countries (Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States) from 2001 to 2019. Country-specific longitudinal group trend regression models were used to account for unobserved heterogeneity between parents and childless adults. Entering parenthood significantly decreases the likelihood of weekly physical activity, especially among women. The effect declines as the child grows up but persists in all countries for several years. However, the size and duration of the effect vary by country, gender, and educational attainment. Interventions to promote regular physical activity among parents need to consider the heterogeneity of parenthood including the age of the child, parental gender, and socioeconomic status, as well as the broader country context. More comparative panel studies are needed to better understand the effects of cultural and institutional differences

Developed country · Diversity (politics · Longitudinal data · Longitudinal study · Multilevel model · Panel data · Physical activity · Psychological intervention · Socioeconomic status · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Physical Activity and Health · Urban Transport and Accessibility

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access