Earlier-life individual and spatial socioeconomic conditions and later-life physical activity

Yang Li; Dario Spini

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103068

Earlier-life individual and spatial socioeconomic conditions and later-life physical activity

Health Place. 2023 Sep:83:103068. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103068. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Authors

Yang Li¹, Dario Spini²

Affiliations

¹ Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research LIVES, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: yang.li@unil.ch.
² Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research LIVES, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

PMID: 37390666
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103068

Abstract

This study investigated the association between earlier-life (before age 16) individual and spatial socioeconomic conditions and later-life (mean age 61) physical activity (PA), and the role of later-life characteristics. Contemporary and historical Census data as well as three bi-annual waves of nationally representative panel data from the Understanding America Study (N = 1,981) were used. Multilevel growth curve models were estimated to address the research questions. Father's education in respondents' earlier life was positively associated with light and moderate PA in respondents' later life. Growing up in a higher-poverty area was negatively associated with moderate and vigorous later-life PA. Findings underscore the long-term ramifications of earlier-life circumstances for later-life PA. Consideration should be given to socioeconomic conditions at both individual and spatial levels over the life course to promote PA at older ages.

Keywords: Life course; Longitudinal; Micro-macro link; Socio-spatial; Sports.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Educational Status
Exercise*
Humans
Life Change Events*
Middle Aged
Socioeconomic Factors