The Comparison of Socio-Economic Status of Families and Social Support of Parents for the Physical Exercises of Their Children

This study tried to tackle the comparison of Socio-Economic Status (SES) of families and social support of parents for physical exercises of their children. In the present study the statistical subjects included high school students that were chosen cluster-randomly from two areas of Tehran city. These areas were 18th (at south), and 5th (at north). Finally, 272 out of 300 questionnaires were filled out and sent back correctly. Two main questionnaires were used to measure SES and parental support of children physical activity. Socio-economic status questionnaire (SES; Sharky, 1987) for determining 3 socio-economic variables (sexuality, income and literacy) was used. A research made questionnaire for determining the social support of parents for physical exercise of children. The validity of questionnaires determined by experts and the reliability for the SES questionnaire was (alpha = 0.81), and social support of parents for physical exercise questionnaire (alpha=0.87). K-S test was used to ascertain data normality. Descriptive statistics (mean, frequencies), and inferential statistic (independent t-test) utilized to analyze data. The results indicated the significant difference between social support of parents for physical exercises at the North and South of Tehran city (p = 0.0001, t = 5.803). It seems more parental support of children will bring better situation for them to develop their skills via exersice. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.