Physical activity and socio-economic status of single and married urban adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Changing family models have resulted in a large increase in the number of single-person households. This phenomenon has certain implications for society and the economy as single people often exhibit different behaviours, including their engagement in health-related physical activity, than those who are married and living with partners. However, the results of studies on determinants of physical activity in people of different marital status have been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to identify associations between physical activity and socioeconomic status in single and married urban adults. Methods The study material consisted of 4,460 persons (1,828 single and 2,632 married and living with partners). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wroclaw (Poland). A diagnostic survey-direct interview method was used. Two research tools were applied: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire (S-ESQ). The level of respondents’ physical activity was assessed following WHO recommendations. The descriptive statistics included the number and frequency of categories of dependent and independent variables as well as measures of association between them, i.e., crude and adjusted odds ratios. Results The odds ratio of meeting the WHO physical activity recommendations was almost 70% higher in single than in married respondents (OR = 1.67; CI [1.46–2.19]), and slightly more than 40% higher after adjusting for sex, age and education (aOR = 1.42; CI [1.21–1.67]). In both groups socioeconomic the respondents’ status revealed a significant and slightly different association with their levels of physical activity. Occupational status and financial savings significantly affected the level of physical activity in single respondents, while net disposable income was a significant modifier of physical activity levels in respondents who were married or lived with their partners. Conclusions Assessment of the levels and determinants of physical activity among people of different marital status should be continued and extended to other subpopulations. This will allow effective preventive and therapeutic measures to be taken for groups most at risk of hypokinesia. Programs aimed at improving physical activity accounting for the socioeconomic status and marital status of their beneficiaries are particularly important.

Differences in physical activity between weekdays and weekend days among U.S. children and adults: Cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2011–2014 data

“…Similarly, this could be due to occupational physical activity as those with lower education levels were more likely to have blue-collar jobs that require a higher physical activity level. ( Kirk and Rhodes, 2011 , Smith et al, 2016 , Vandelanotte et al, 2015 ) While a study in Poland found that single urban adults were more likely to meet the physical activity guidelines than married adults, ( Puciato and Rozpara, 2021 ) this study and others have found those in a relationship were more active. ( Sobal and Hanson, 2010 , Pettee et al, 2006 ) Although the personal commitments associated with being in a relationship may reduce the time couples engaged in physical activity, being in a relationship may also mean an increase in social support that could result in a more healthier and active lifestyle.…”

Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Spain: Social Determinants Related to the Family

“…Several hypotheses could explain this finding; first, the dual profile that the elderly in our study may have, as regardless of compliance with the recommended values for physical activity, they may present sedentary behaviors such as spending more than 5 h a day in front of a screen, a popular activity among older adults [ 22 ]. Second, according to “the paradox of physical activity”, it is possible that rather than the amount of energy expended, the nature of the activities carried out has the most influence on a healthy lifestyle [ 68 ]. In our study, where the participants are mostly women, gender can act as an important discriminatory factor in the type of activities carried out.…”

Short-term effects of high-resolution (1-km) ambient PM2.5 and PM10 on hospital admission for pulmonary tuberculosis: a case-crossover study in Hainan, China

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