Healthy grandparenting: The impact of non-residential grandchild care on physical activity and sedentary behavior in people aged 50 years and over.

Given the widespread provision of grandparental child care, examining its impact on grandparents’ energy-expenditure related behaviors in the broader context of health is imperative. The maintenance of functional independence and good quality of life is critical at a more advanced age. It has been put forward that an increased duration, frequency and intensity of physical activity (PA) combined with a restriction of sedentary behavior (SB) is the most important strategy to reduce morbidity risk and to foster health in an aging population. Using a mixed methods approach, the present project aims to fill a gap in current knowledge on (changes in) caregiving grandparents’ PA levels and SB patterns. An observational follow-up study will be conducted to examine and compare both energy-expenditure related behaviors linked to body composition and health-related quality of life among caregiving grandparents, non-caregiving grandparents and non-grandparent peers, both momentarily and over time. The additional purpose is to understand the underlying factors and mechanisms of possible
changes in grandparents’ PA and SB as a result of providing care for their grandchild(ren). To this end, a qualitative study using focus group discussions will be set up. Fundamental research into this un (der)explored topic is needed to provide scientific evidence in order
to promote healthy grandparenting in people on the threshold of old age in modern society.