57 research outputs found
Gender, marital and educational inequalities in mid- to late-life depressive symptoms: cross-cohort variation and moderation by urbanicity degree
Background: Although ageing populations are
increasingly residing in cities, it is unknown whether
depression inequalities are moderated by urbanicity
degree. We estimated gender, marital and educational
inequalities in depressive symptoms among older
European and Canadian adults, and examined whether
higher levels of urbanicity, captured by population
density, heightened these inequalities.
Methods: Harmonised cross-sectional data on 97 826
adults aged ≥50 years from eight cohorts were used.
Prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated for probable
depression, depressed affect and depressive symptom
severity by gender, marital status and education within
each cohort, and combined using random-effects metaanalysis. Using a subsample of 73 123 adults from six
cohorts with available data on population density, we
tested moderating effects measured by the number of
residents per square kilometre.
Results: The pooled PRs for probable depression by female
gender, unmarried or non-cohabitating status and low
education were 1.48 (95% CI 1.28 to 1.72), 1.44 (95% CI
1.29 to 1.61) and 1.29 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.41), respectively.
PRs for depressed affect and high symptom severity were
broadly similar. Except for one Dutch cohort with findings in
an unexpected direction, there was no evidence that
population density modified depressive symptom
inequalities.
Conclusions: Despite cross-cohort variation in gender,
marital status and educational inequalities in depressive
symptoms, there was weak evidence that these
inequalities differed by levels of population density
Is a perceived supportive physical environment important for self-reported leisure time physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged women with poor psychosocial characteristics? An observational study
Background Over the past decade, studies and public health interventions that target the physical environment as an avenue for promoting physical activity have increased in number. While it appears that a supportive physical environment has a role to play in promoting physical activity, social-ecological models emphasise the importance of considering other multiple levels of influence on behaviour, including individual (e.g. self-efficacy, intentions, enjoyment) and social (e.g. social support, access to childcare) factors (psychosocial factors). However, not everyone has these physical activity-promoting psychosocial characteristics; it remains unclear what contribution the environment makes to physical activity among these groups. This study aimed to examine the association between the perceived physical environment and self-reported leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among women living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas demonstrating different psychosocial characteristics.Methods In 2007–8, 3765 women (18–45 years) randomly selected from low socioeconomic areas in Victoria, Australia, self-reported LTPA, and individual, social and physical environmental factors hypothesised within a social-ecological framework to influence LTPA. Psychosocial and environment scores were created. Associations between environment scores and categories of LTPA (overall and stratified by thirds of perceived environment scores) were examined using generalised ordered logistic regression.Results Women with medium and high perceived environment scores had 20-38% and 44-70% greater odds respectively of achieving higher levels of LTPA than women with low environment scores. When stratified by thirds of psychosocial factor scores, these associations were largely attenuated and mostly became non-significant. However, women with the lowest psychosocial scores but medium or high environment scores had 76% and 58% higher odds respectively of achieving ≥120 minutes/week (vs. <120 minutes/week) LTPA.Conclusions Acknowledging the cross-sectional study design, the findings suggest that a physical environment perceived to be supportive of physical activity might help women with less favourable psychosocial characteristics achieve moderate amounts of LTPA (i.e. ≥120 minutes/week). This study provides further support for research and public health interventions to target perceptions of the physical environment as a key component of strategies to promote physical activity.<br /
Childhood socioeconomic position and adult leisure-time physical activity: A systematic review
Regular leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) benefits health and is thought to be less prevalent in lower socioeconomic groups. Evidence suggests that childhood socioeconomic circumstances can impact on adult health and behaviour however, it is unclear if this includes an influence on adult LTPA. This review tested the hypothesis that a lower childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with less frequent LTPA during adulthood. Studies were located through a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus and by searching reference lists. Eligible studies were English-language publications testing the association between any indicator of childhood SEP and an LTPA outcome measured during adulthood. Forty-five papers from 36 studies, most of which were European, were included. In most samples, childhood SEP and LTPA were self-reported in midlife. Twenty-two studies found evidence to support the review’s hypothesis and thirteen studies found no association. Accounting for own adult SEP partly attenuated associations. There was more evidence of an association in British compared with Scandinavian cohorts and in women compared with men. Results did not vary by childhood SEP indicator or age at assessment of LTPA. This review found evidence of an association between less advantaged childhood SEP and less frequent LTPA during adulthood. Understanding how associations vary by gender and place could provide insights into underlying pathways
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