A multilevel study of socioeconomic position and physical activity: environmental and individual-level determinants

Funded Activity Summary

Regular physical activity offers many health benefits, whereas inadequate activity is a leading cause of premature death and disability and a major contributor to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity. Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are least likely to be physically active, and they experience higher rates of death and morbidity for conditions directly linked to inactivity. Currently, our understanding of why socioeconomic groups differ in their physical activity is limited, and very little research has investigated this issue. This study will investigate why socioeconomic groups differ in their physical activity, by examining the influence of neighbourhood and individual-level factors. Neighbourhood factors include people's access to recreational facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, golf clubs, gyms, local parks, walking and bicycle paths; prices for entry to recreational facilities and opening hours; physical characteristics of the neighbourhood including public transport, presence of footpaths and street lighting, speed limits on local streets, availability of local services such as shops and schools, and; aesthetic characteristics, such as the presence and size of parks and green spaces, and traffic density. Individual factors include personal enjoyment, knowledge, confidence, type of occupation and hours worked, family responsibilities, age, health status, and whether other family member or friends engage in physical activity. A major aim of the study is to determine whether environmental or individual factors are more important in influencing participation in physical activity. The study will produce new knowledge to inform future public health strategies directed at increasing physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and these will have the potential to reduce socioeconomic health inequalities, as well as contribute to an overall reduction of the disease burden attributable to chronic conditions.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2005

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $429,000.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Public Health and Health Services

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Explanations of Socioeconomic health inequalities | Health inequalities | Lifestyle | Physical Activity | Physical activity | Psychosocial factors | Social & behavioral research | Social determinants of health | Socioeconomic status

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