The Impact of Multiple Dimensions of Socioeconomic Status on Physical Functioning Across the Life Course

Abstract

Objective: We used the Physical Performance Across the LifeSpan Study to investigate the relationships of multiple indicators of socioeconomic status (SES), both in early life and late life, with physical function. Method: We examined associations between multiple early and late life SES indicators with physical function measured by aerobic endurance, gait speed, and lower body strength. Results: Higher participant education and household income were associated with increased physical function. In our age-stratified analysis, we observed widening SES disparities with increasing age among those in the two younger strata with lower SES associated with worse physical function. Finally, we observed an association between socioeconomic trend and gait speed, aerobic endurance, and lower body strength. There was also an association between lower aerobic endurance and being in a downward socioeconomic trend. Discussion: These findings highlight the significance of considering multiple dimensions of the social environment as important correlates of physical functioning across the life course.

The impact of socioeconomic status and social deprivation on musculoskeletal limitations

“…Lower level of education, lower per capita and household income, lesser working status and fewer financial assets associated with greater limitations of physical activity as measured by aerobic endurance, gait speed, lower body strength, the performance-oriented mobility assessment, and limitations in instrumental activities of daily living and activities of daily living. 14,15,33,34 Our findings emphasize the effect of perceived and objective socioeconomic status on physical limitations. Clinicians and policymaker awareness of these influences can lead to better models of care and improved health.…”

Timed Up and Go: Reference Values for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with and without Arthritis and Non-Communicable Diseases: The Tromsø Study

“… 46 Research has shown that socioeconomic status is associated with later-life physical performance. 47–49 In contrast with Malaysia, Norway is characterized by a high level of welfare, as it has one of the highest levels of income per capita in the world, and 34% of the population have tertiary education (ie a university or college). 50…”

Trajectories in physical functioning at older age in relation to childhood and adulthood SES and social mobility: a population-based cohort study

“…Our results also align with an American cross-sectional study, which demonstrated that stable low SES was associated with worse PF assessed using objective measures such as aerobic endurance, gait speed, and lower body strength. Moreover, the study found no significant difference in PF between upward mobility and stable high or middle SES groups, while stable low SES and downward social mobility were strongly and equally associated with poorer PF compared to upward mobility ( 31 ).…”