Association of childhood residential area and socioeconomic status with adulthood physical activity

Abstract Background High SES is associated with more PA in life course. There is conflicting evidence about the importance of the residential area for PA. The aim of this study was to determine how family SES of urban and rural children is associated with PA in adulthood. This study provides new information on how the childhood family SES and growth environment affects PA in adulthood. Methods We used population-based cohort data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986. Participants’ (n = 9432) parents reported residential area and family SES when the participants were 7 years old (n = 8370). At age 35, participants underwent clinical measurements (n = 1807) and completed questionnaires (n = 3322) about health, health behaviours and SES. PA data was collected with Oura ring (n = 1578). The final data consisted of 813 participants. We used linear models to study the associations of the childhood residential area and family SES with PA in adulthood. Results Difference in total daily PA minutes was 40.99 min greater in the unadjusted model for male participants living in rural area during childhood, with high childhood family SES (CI = 18.65, 63.33). After adjusting with BMI, work strenuousness and adulthood residential area the difference was 26.73 min greater (CI = 0.81, 52.65). Difference in daily LPA minutes was 40.38 min greater in the unadjusted model (CI = 19.83, 60.93) and 27.64 min greater in the adjusted model (CI = 3.84, 51.43). Conclusions High SES children living in rural areas during childhood had more PA in adulthood. Efforts to promote an active lifestyle should consider family SES and residential areas during childhood. Key messages • Efforts to promote an active lifestyle should consider family SES and residential areas during childhood. • SES and residential area should be considered in promoting active lifestyles in men.