Delivering inactivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of parenthood and physical activity
Date
2026
Authors
Hilgartner, James
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Publisher
University of Victoria
Abstract
Background: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is critical for health; however, many adults are insufficiently active. Parenthood may be a plausible high-risk period for inactivity. This review's purpose was to syntheisze recent evidence on how parenthood relates to MVPA, including within-person changes across the transition to parenthood and between-group differences between parents and age-matched adults without children, with subgroup-analyses of methodological and demographic characteristics. Methods: Eligible articles were English peer-reviewed studies and theses. A systematic search was conducted in April 2025 across five databases. Risk of bias was assessed using the NHLBI Quality Assessment Tool. Random-effects meta-analyses compared MVPA among parents and adults without children, and pre- to post-transition to parenthood. Results: Of 30,607 records, 62 papers were included and 39 contributed to the meta-analysis. Parents had lower MVPA compared to adults without children (d = -0.12 [95% CI -0.17 to -0.08]; k = 35). For within-participant analysis, MVPA declined across the transition to parenthood (d = -0.39 [95% CI -0.54 to -0.25]; k = 21), with study design being the only significant moderator (p < .05). Conclusions: This is the first meta-analysis of parenthood and physical activity. The results demonstrate that parenthood is associated with a small to moderate decline in MVPA for both mothers and fathers. These results support parenthood as an important life stage for future physical activity interventions.
Description
Keywords
parenthood, physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), meta-analysis, Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)