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Educational differences in leisure-time physical inactivity: a descriptive and explanatory study

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  • Droomers, M.
  • Schrijvers, C. T. M.
  • van de Mheen, H.
  • Mackenbach, J. P.

Abstract

In this study we aim to explain educational differences in leisure-time physical inactivity in terms of psychosocial and material factors. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the baseline of the Dutch GLOBE study in 1991, including 2598 men and women, aged 15-74 years. Physical inactivity during leisure time was defined as not participating in any activity, such as sports, gardening, walking or cycling. Psychosocial factors included in the study were coping resources, personality, and stressors. Material factors were financial situation, employment status, and living conditions. Logistic regression models were used to calculate educational differences in physical inactivity. Physical inactivity was more prevalent in lower educational groups. Psychosocial factors related to physical inactivity were locus of control, parochialism, neuroticism, emotional social support, active problem focussing, optimistic and palliative coping styles. Material factors associated with physical inactivity were income, employment status and financial problems. All correlates of physical inactivity were unequally distributed over educational groups, except optimistic and palliative coping. Personality and coping style were the main contributors to the observed educational differences in physical inactivity. That is to say, parochialism, locus of control, neuroticism and active problem focussing explained about half of elevated odds ratios of physical inactivity in the lower educational groups. The material factors, equivalent income and employment status explained about 40% of the elevated odds ratios. Psychosocial and material correlates together reduced the odds ratios of lower educational groups by on average 75%. These results have practical consequences for the design of more effective interventions to promote physical activity. In particular, personality and coping style of risk groups, such as lower educational groups, should be taken into consideration at the future development of these interventions, as well as inequalities in material restrictions related to engaging in physical activity. Supplementary interventions focussing on childhood conditions which, partly, influence both personality and physical inactivity may also contribute to a reduction of socio-economic differences in physical inactivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Droomers, M. & Schrijvers, C. T. M. & van de Mheen, H. & Mackenbach, J. P., 1998. "Educational differences in leisure-time physical inactivity: a descriptive and explanatory study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 47(11), pages 1665-1676, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:47:y:1998:i:11:p:1665-1676
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. van der Waerden, Judith E.B. & Hoefnagels, Cees & Hosman, Clemens M.H. & Souren, Pierre M. & Jansen, Maria W.J., 2013. "A randomized controlled trial of combined exercise and psycho-education for low-SES women: Short- and long-term outcomes in the reduction of stress and depressive symptoms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 84-93.
    2. Murakami, Keiko & Hashimoto, Hideki & Lee, Jung Su & Kawakubo, Kiyoshi & Mori, Katsumi & Akabayashi, Akira, 2011. "Distinct impact of education and income on habitual exercise: A cross-sectional analysis in a rural city in Japan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(12), pages 1683-1688.
    3. Thrane, Christer, 2006. "Explaining educational-related inequalities in health: Mediation and moderator models," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(2), pages 467-478, January.
    4. Cerin, Ester & Leslie, Eva, 2008. "How socio-economic status contributes to participation in leisure-time physical activity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(12), pages 2596-2609, June.
    5. Ivana Kulhánová & Rasmus Hoffmann & Terje Eikemo & Gwenn Menvielle & Johan Mackenbach, 2014. "Educational inequalities in mortality by cause of death: first national data for the Netherlands," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 59(5), pages 687-696, October.
    6. Kay Mann & Louise Hayes & Laura Basterfield & Louise Parker & Mark Pearce, 2013. "Differing lifecourse associations with sport-, occupational- and household-based physical activity at age 49–51 years: the Newcastle Thousand Families Study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(1), pages 79-88, February.

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