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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Changes in occupational class differences in leisure-time physical activity: a follow-up study.
Tina Seiluri1, Jouni Lahti, Ossi Rahkonen
1Hjelt Institute, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. tina.seiluri@helsinki.fi
Summary
Socioeconomic disparities in leisure-time physical activity widened over time among Finnish employees. Physical activity declined in lower occupational classes, highlighting the need for targeted health promotion initiatives for aging workers, particularly manual laborers.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Physical activity offers known health benefits across diverse populations.
- Socioeconomic disparities in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and their temporal changes require further investigation.
- This study hypothesizes a widening gap in LTPA due to declining activity in lower occupational classes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in occupational class differences in LTPA over time.
- To investigate the role of selected covariates in explaining these changes.
- To analyze LTPA trends in a cohort of Finnish middle-aged employees.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Helsinki Health Study cohort, with baseline data from 2000-2002 and follow-up in 2007.
- Measured LTPA using metabolic equivalent tasks (MET), including commuting.
- Assessed socioeconomic position via occupational class and adjusted for covariates like age, health status, and employment.
Main Results:
- No significant occupational class differences in LTPA were observed at baseline.
- LTPA increased in higher occupational classes and decreased in manual worker classes during follow-up.
- Observed occupational class differences in LTPA at follow-up remained largely unaffected after covariate adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Occupational class disparities in LTPA emerged over the study period for both genders.
- Promoting LTPA is crucial for aging employees, with a particular focus on manual workers.
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