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Does social capital promote physical activity? A population-based study in Japan
Kazumune Ueshima1, Takeo Fujiwara, Soshi Takao
1Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
Plos One
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Low social capital, particularly low community trust, is linked to physical inactivity in Japanese adults. Higher trust and participation in social groups correlate with increased physical activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Health Promotion
Background:
- Social capital, encompassing trust and social participation, is a key determinant of health behaviors.
- Understanding the relationship between individual-level social capital and physical activity is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between individual-level social capital and physical inactivity in a Japanese adult population.
- To explore the roles of cognitive (trust) and structural (participation) dimensions of social capital in physical activity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Okayama city, Japan, with 2260 participants.
- Social capital was measured using perceived trust and participation in voluntary groups (bonding and bridging).
- Logistic regression analysis was used to determine odds ratios for physical inactivity.
Main Results:
- Higher levels of community trust were significantly associated with lower odds of physical inactivity (OR = 0.58).
- Both bridging and bonding social capital showed a marginal association with lower odds of physical inactivity.
- 68.8% of participants were physically active, while 28.9% were inactive.
Conclusions:
- Individual-level social capital, especially community trust, is inversely associated with physical inactivity.
- Promoting social capital may be a viable strategy for increasing physical activity and improving public health in Japan.
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