Socioeconomic Status and Patterns of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the...

This study aimed to examine the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and optimal movement behaviors including sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA), regular leisure-time PA, and less sedentary behavior.

We used data from the Japanese Study on Stratification, Health, Income, and Neighborhood conducted in 2012. Activity patterns and SES were measured using International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Version and other self-administered questionnaires. Activity pattern outcomes assessed were sufficient total volume of moderate-to-vigorous PA (≥150 min/wk), regular leisure-time PA (≥1 d/wk), less sedentary time (≤4 h/d), and optimal movement behaviors (meeting all criteria). SES variables were equivalized annual income, educational attainment, and occupation. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders.

We included 731 men and 852 women. Lower income levels were associated with less leisure-time PA among men and women (men, odds ratio [OR]: 0.60 and 0.65 for Q2 and Q1 [lowest], respectively; women, OR: 0.53 and 0.56 for Q2 and Q1 [lowest]). Lower SES groups associated with less sedentary time (men, OR: 1.82 for blue-collar; women, OR: 1.44 for Q1 income level, 1.61 and 1.53 for junior college, technical school, and high school/junior high school, respectively; 1.89 for unemployed). SES was not significantly associated with optimal movement behavior in both sexes (in men, OR for those with high school or junior high school education vs those with university or graduate school education = 0.81 [0.43-1.53]).

Activity patterns varied by SES, with lower income associated with less leisure-time PA and white-collar workers associated with more prevalent sedentary behavior among both sexes.