Income and Physical Activity among Adults: Evidence from Self-Reported and Pedometer-Based Physical Activity Measurements

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between income and physical activity by using three measures to illustrate daily physical activity: the self-reported physical activity index for leisure-time physical activity, pedometer-based total steps for overall daily physical activity, and pedometer-based aerobic steps that reflect continuous steps for more than 10 min at a time. The study population consisted of 753 adults from Finland (mean age 41.7 years; 64% women) who participated in 2011 in the follow-up of the ongoing Young Finns study. Ordinary least squares models were used to evaluate the associations between income and physical activity. The consistency of the results was explored by using register-based income information from Statistics Finland, employing the instrumental variable approach, and dividing the pedometer-based physical activity according to weekdays and weekend days. The results indicated that higher income was associated with higher self-reported physical activity for both genders. The results were robust to the inclusion of the control variables and the use of register-based income information. However, the pedometer-based results were gender-specific and depended on the measurement day (weekday vs. weekend day). In more detail, the association was positive for women and negative or non-existing for men. According to the measurement day, among women, income was positively associated with aerobic steps despite the measurement day and with totals steps measured on the weekend. Among men, income was negatively associated with aerobic steps measured on weekdays. The results indicate that there is an association between income and physical activity, but the association is gender-specific and depends on the measurement type of physical activity.

Built environment correlates of physical activity in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

“…Some studies showed that high district income was significantly positively associated with both leisure PA and leisure walking. Kari et al [75] also reported that higher district income was a significant positive predictor for leisure PA among Finnish adults. High-income populations often have the resources to pay for memberships in private, well-maintained leisure centres, offering a wide variety of recreational activities (e.g.…”

Physical Inactivity from Youth to Adulthood and Risk of Impaired Glucose Metabolism

“…Those who dropped out were more often men and younger individuals than those who remained in the study. No differences were found in the PA levels between those who dropped out and those who remained in the study (11). All participants provided written informed consent, and the study was approved by the Turku University Hospital ethical committee.…”

Economic correlates of physical activity in adults

“…The level of physical activity of Wrocław residents aged over 44 years in this study also differed significantly in terms of per capita income, especially among individuals with the highest income. Higher physical activity levels along increasing income per capita were also found by Choi et al [19], Kim and So [11], and Kari et al [20]; and among a Polish population by Biernat [12], Biernat and Piątkowska [21], Pocztarska and Bergier [22], and Puciato [23]. Correlations between physical activity and the highest income status were investigated by Chung et al [10].…”