Intergenerational social class stability and mobility are associated with large absolute differences in adult participation in sport and exercise

Frank Popham ^1*

¹ University of St Andrews, United Kingdom

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: f.popham{at}st-andrews.ac.uk.

Accepted 23 April 2009

Abstract

Objective: To test whether there is an association of social class (im)mobility in childhood and adulthood with absolute rates of adult participation in sport and exercise.

Design: Secondary analysis of the 2003 Scottish Health Survey.

Participants: 2770 Scottish men and women aged 35 to 54.

Results: The highest age adjusted rate of sport and exercise was seen amongst those who were in the highest social class in both childhood and adulthood (62.8%) while those in the lowest social class at both stages had the lowest rate at 25.8%, 37% points lower. This gap was wider than if the assessment of participation had been based solely on childhood or adult social class. The upwardly mobile had a higher rate than their class of origin in childhood but a lower rate than their class of destination in adulthood. The downwardly mobile had a lower rate than their class of origin but a higher rate than their class of destination.

Conclusion: There are major absolute differences in participation in sport and exercise associated with social class (im)mobility that will be important to understand in order to improve population health and to reduce health inequalities.