Physical Activity In Relation To Family Income In Finnish Adolescents Aged 15 To 16 Years

Abstract

PURPOSE This study evaluated how family income is associated with the level and the types of physical activity in adolescents. METHODS Study population consisted of the Northern Finland birth cohort 1986 including 7182 boys and girls aged 15 to 16 years and their parents. They responded to mailed questions on physical activity and social background. Adolescents were classified into quartile groups (I to IV) according to family income reported by their parents. Logistic regression analyses was used to evaluate the association between family income and physical activity. RESULTS The proportion of active adolescents was 45 % in the high-income group I and 32 % in the low-income group IV. Odds ratio for being active was 1.65 (CI 1.31–2.08) for the group I compared to the group IV after adjustment for family type (single vs two parent family), mother's level of education and place of residence (urban vs rural residence). Participation in different types of physical activity varied only modestly between different family income groups. However, participation in indoor bandy, slalom, tennis and golf in boys, and in roller-skating or skateboarding in both sexes, was more common in the high-income group I (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Family income was positively associated with the level of physical activity in adolescents. Participation in some sports that require relatively expensive equipments or participation fees was more common in the highest family income groups.