Inactive Parents Tend To Have Couch Potato Kids

Key Takeaways

Parents can influence the physical activity levels of their childrenKids are more likely to become couch potatoes if Mom or Dad don’t move muchLikewise, children are more likely to be active if their parents exercise

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 10, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Kids are more likely to become couch potatoes — or enthusiastically active — based on what they see their parents doing day-to-day, a new study says.

The example set by moms and dads appears to contribute to sedentary or active behavior in their children, researchers report in the journal Sports Medicine and Health Science .

“Parents’ level of physical activity can directly influence their children’s habits,” said senior researcher Diego Christofaro , a professor in the Department of Sport Sciences at São Pau