Physical activity barriers according to social stratification in Europe

Abstract

ObjectivesTo analyse relationships of social stratification on physical activity (PA) prevalence and barriers in theEuropean population.MethodsData were retrieved from Eurobarometer 88.4, a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2017 with 28,031 over15-year-old inhabitants of the European Union. PA prevalence was calculated along with the probability to be physicallyinactive by social stratification. Logistic regressions were run in the inactive population to show the social class effect oneach barrier adjusted by sociodemographic factors employing a propensity score matched method.ResultsLow social class presented higher inactivity prevalence (43.11%), whilst the high social class reported the lowestprevalence (23.30%). Also, the low (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.47–0.58) and middle (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.64–0.79) social classeswere less likely to be active compared to high social class. In the inactive population, the low social class had mostly higherodds to report each barrier.ConclusionsSocial class is a relevant factor for low PA, with more barriers in the lower social classes. Public healthinstitutions should implement strategies on more influential PA barriers and disadvantaged social groups.