AI Article Synopsis
- The study investigates changes in educational inequalities regarding sporting inactivity among adults in Germany from the early 2000s to 2012, focusing on how these inequalities are linked to social determinants of health.
- Analysis of data from four health surveys revealed a consistent trend: sporting inactivity was more common among less-educated individuals, but overall activity levels improved primarily in those with higher education, leaving low-education groups unchanged.
- The results indicate a significant widening of inequalities in sporting inactivity, particularly among younger adults (under 50), suggesting a need for targeted interventions to promote physical activity among less-educated populations.
Article Abstract
Background: Social inequalities in health can be explained in part by the social patterning of leisure-time physical activity, such as non-participation in sports. This study is the first to explore whether absolute and relative educational inequalities in sporting inactivity among adults have changed in Germany since the early 2000s.
Methods: Data from four cross-sectional national health surveys conducted in 2003 (n = 6890), 2009 (n = 16,418), 2010 (n = 17,145) and 2012 (n = 13,744) were analysed. The study population was aged 25-69 years in each survey. Sporting inactivity was defined as no sports participation during the preceding 3 months. The regression-based Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII) were calculated to estimate the extent of absolute and relative educational inequalities in sporting inactivity, respectively.
Results: Sporting inactivity was consistently more prevalent in less-educated groups. The overall prevalence of sporting inactivity declined significantly over time. However, the decline was observed only in the high and medium education groups, while no change was observed in the low education group. Both absolute and relative educational inequalities in sporting inactivity were found to have widened significantly between 2003 (SII = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.25-0.35; RII = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.83-2.38) and 2012 (SII = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.37-0.45; RII = 3.44, 95% CI = 3.03-3.91). Interaction analysis showed that these increases in inequalities were larger in the younger population under the age of 50 than among the elderly.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that the gap in sports participation between adults with high and low educational attainment has widened in both absolute and relative terms because of an increase in sports participation among the better educated. Health-enhancing physical activity interventions specifically targeted to less-educated younger adults are needed to prevent future increases in social inequalities in health.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5461755 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4478-2 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Residual Effects of Physical Exercise After Periods of Training Cessation in Older Adults: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.
Scand J Med Sci Sports
January 2025
Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Melilla, Spain.
We aimed to determine the persisting effects of various exercise modalities and intensities on functional capacity after periods of training cessation in older adults. A comprehensive search was conducted across the Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection up to March 2024 for randomized controlled trials examining residual effects of physical exercise on functional capacity in older adults ≥ 60 years. The analysis encompassed 15 studies and 21 intervention arms, involving 787 participants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhysical activity and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania: insights for public health policy in low-income contexts.
Front Public Health
January 2025
Department of Physical Education and Sport Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened anxiety levels globally, disproportionately affecting low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical activity (PA) has shown potential to alleviate mental health challenges, including anxiety. This study explores the relationship between PA and anxiety among Tanzanian adults during the pandemic, examining whether self-reported health status moderates this relationship and identifying demographic variations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDeveloping an Evidence- and Theory-Informed Mother-Daughter mHealth Intervention Prototype Targeting Physical Activity in Preteen Girls of Low Socioeconomic Position: Multiphase Co-Design Study.
JMIR Pediatr Parent
January 2025
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Background: Preteen girls of lower socioeconomic position are at increased risk of physical inactivity. Parental support, particularly from mothers, is positively correlated with girls' physical activity levels. Consequently, family-based interventions are recognized as a promising approach to improve young people's physical activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAge-related variations in physical activity, happiness, and psychological well-being: Evidence from Iran.
PLoS One
January 2025
Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain.
Background: Physical activity (PA) is associated with higher levels of PWB and happiness. The high prevalence of physical inactivity among the Iranian population is concerning. Moreover, according to the Happiness Report 2024, Iran is ranked 100th out of 143 countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAerobic or Resistance Exercise for maximum Cardiovascular Disease Protection? An Appraisal of the Current Level of Evidence.
J Prev Med Hyg
September 2024
School of Health Sciences and Education, Harokopio University in Athens, Kallithea, Greece.
Introduction: The beneficial role of physical activity on the cardiovascular system has been well established and appreciated. The aim of this narrative review was to present a summary of the latest recommendations for physical activity, and to evaluate the most recent scientific evidence regarding the role of aerobic and or resistance exercise in relation to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk.
Methods: Narrative review; searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!