title: Effects of childhood socio-economic conditions on educational differences in leisure-time physical activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our purpose was to assess the direct and indirect contribution of childhood socio-economic conditions to educational differences in leisure-time physical activity among women and men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based data were derived from a representative sample of Finns aged >or=30 years (N = 7112) as part of Health 2000 Survey. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied. Leisure-time physical activity was divided into inactivity, moderate and high activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Childhood socio-economic conditions had both a direct and indirect effect through adulthood socio-economic conditions on educational differences in leisure-time physical activity. The direct effect of childhood socio-economic conditions on educational differences in inactivity was stronger than its indirect effects through adulthood socio-economic conditions and other health behaviours and related factors. Adulthood socio-economic conditions had a considerable indirect effect on educational differences in leisure-time physical activity through other adulthood health behaviours and related factors among men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to narrow educational differences in leisure-time physical activity, we should secure a childhood environment that enables a physically active lifestyle, support leisure-time physical activity in diverse occupational groups, guarantee equal physical activity possibilities across different educational careers and support those with insufficient material resources.
authors: National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Living conditions, Health and Wellbeing Unit, Helsinki, Finland. tomi.makinen@thl.fi
authors: Tomi
authors: T
authors: Mäkinen
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Kestilä
authors: Katja
authors: K
authors: Borodulin
authors: Tuija
authors: T
authors: Martelin
authors: Ossi
authors: O
authors: Rahkonen
authors: Ritva
authors: R
authors: Prättälä
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000191:economics; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires