Age moderates the effect of socioeconomic status on physical activity level among south Korean adults: cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative sample

Abstract

BackgroundIn a nationally representative sample of South Korean adults, we investigated the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and physical activity level, and whether this association varied by age group.MethodsWe used data from 5065 subjects aged ≥19 years who participated in the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weighted logistic regression examined the SES-physical activity association. Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form, physical activity level was categorized into two groups: meeting the guideline (≥150 min/week of moderate intensity physical activity) and not meeting the guideline. Annual household income quartile (first quartile = highest income) and education (elementary, middle school, high school, and college graduates) were used as SES indicators. Sociodemographic covariates included in the adjusted models were marital status, town type (rural/urban), dwelling type, perceived health, federal allowance support (yes/no), and working- and sleeping-hours.ResultsIn unadjusted models, low income and low education were both associated with significantly lower odds of meeting the physical activity guideline. The income-physical activity association was moderated by age group in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Specifically, among those age < 45 years, those in the third quartile group had 41% higher odds (p < 0.01) of meeting the physical activity guideline compared with the first quartile group, after adjusting for covariates. In contrast, among those age ≥ 45 years, those in the third quartile group had 16% lower odds (p < 0.01) of meeting the physical activity guideline compared with the first quartile group, after adjusting for covariates. Furthermore, the education-physical activity association was moderated by age but only in the adjusted model. Specifically, among those age < 45 years, high school graduates had a 21% higher odds of meeting the physical activity guideline compared with college graduates (p = 0.08). In contrast, among those age ≥ 45 years, high school graduates had a 23% lower odds of meeting the physical activity guideline compared with college graduates (p = 0.01).ConclusionFuture policies that aim to address SES-related health disparities in physical activity among adults in South Korea should consider the different patterns of physical activity in accordance with SES and age.

Happiness Levels and Leisure Life Satisfaction for Sports Leisure Activities Participation: Implication for Physical Education in Korea

“…Additionally, participants who earned over USD 6,000 were more satisfied than those earning USD 2,000 to 4,000. The findings regarding education level and household income are consistent with studies that have shown that socioeconomic status is significantly related to physical activity (15)(16). Above all, teenagers' low satisfaction with sports leisure activities is a very severe problem.…”

“…6.02±0.79 *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 (tested by one-way analysis of variance) Typically, the higher the educational level, the higher the household income level. The study results showed that the higher the educational and household income level, the higher the participation rate in sports leisure activities, aligning with studies that have shown that socioeconomic status and the level of physical activity are significantly related (15)(16). Participants in sports leisure activities showed higher levels of happiness and leisure life satisfaction with leisure activities than participants in non-sports leisure activities.…”

Physical Activity in Malaysia: Are We Doing Enough? Findings from the REDISCOVER Study

“…Vast research that was done in high income countries showed that socioeconomic status is an important factor to PA [ 65 ]. This concur with our finding, which showed that those earning low income were less likely to engage in adequate PA. A possible explanation may be because those who earned a higher income have better access to exercise facilities, such as membership to the gymnasium [ 65 ]. Higher income can create opportunities for them to buy their own health equipment, which contributes to more PA [ 57 , 66 ].…”

Association of occupation with the daily physical activity and sedentary behaviour of middle-aged workers in Korea: a cross-sectional study based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…However, previous studies have shown that sociodemographic correlates of PA participation change with the age of the studied population. 47 Therefore, we selected the middle-aged population for a more homogenous sample of the population. Moreover, as the middle-aged population is a critical age group for the prevention of multiple chronic health conditions, our findings would help to inform health promotion policies for the targeted population.…”