Characteristics of studies examining associations between intergenerational social mobility and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in adulthood: arranged by country
| Study name (country) (reference(s)) | Description (% female) | Intergenerational social mobility (group definitions) | Physical activity (outcome(s) examined) | Quality scores (average) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRC National Survey of Health and Development (UK) (Silverwood et al 2012).23 | 1946 British birth cohort aged 36–53, n=3847 (49.6%). | Parent's prospectively ascertained and own occupation (always manual (M) or non-manual (NM), upward or downwardly mobile) and education (always lower or advanced, upward or downwardly mobile). | Physical activity latent variables labelled (LTPA: low, gardening and DIY, sports and exercise) and (walking), (cycling) and (sitting). | 6, 6 (6) |
| British Regional Heart Study (UK) (Wannamethee et al 1996; Ramsay et al 2009).24 25 | Sample of males aged 52–74 recruited from GP lists in 24 British towns, n=2188 and 5188 (0%). | Parent's recalled and own occupation (always M or NM, upward or downwardly mobile). | Time spent in physical activities such as walking, cycling and sports (active: no description) and (inactive: none or occasionally active). | 2, 2 (2); 2, 2 (2) |
| British Women's Heart and Health Study (UK) (Watt et al 2009; Lawlor et al 2004).26 27 | Sample of females aged 60–79 recruited from GP lists in 23 British towns, n=3444 and 3523 (100%). | Parent's recalled and own occupation (always M or NM, upward or downwardly mobile). | Time spent in domestic, recreational and sports activities (low exercise: <2 hours/week) and (low exercise: <1 hours/week). | 2, 2 (2); 2, 2 (2) |
| Scottish Health Survey 2003 (UK) (Popham 2010).28 | Sample of Scottish residents aged 35–54, n=2770 (% unknown). | Parent's recalled and own occupation: always I/II, IIINM, IIIM or IV/V, upward or downwardly mobile). | Frequency of several types of sports and exercises during previous 4 weeks (participated ≥once in sport/ exercise at moderate/high intensity for ≥15 min/day). | 4, 4 (4) |
| Mid span family Study (UK) (Hart et al 2008).29 | Sample of the 1970s Renfrew/Paisley Study offspring aged 30–59, n=2338 (55.5%). | Parent's prospectively ascertained and own occupation (always M or NM, upward or downwardly mobile). | Frequency of daily physical activity including LTPA (no exercise: not very/at all active in daily activities including at work and active for < once/week or never outside of work). | 5, 5 (5) |
| West of Scotland Collaborative Study (UK) (Blane et al 1996; Hart et al 1998).30 31 | Sample of males aged 35–64 employed in 27 Scottish work places, n>5500 (0%). | Parent's recalled and own occupation (always I/II, IIINM, IIIM or IV/V, upward or downwardly mobile) and (always M or NM, upward or downwardly mobile). | Time spent in exercise outside work including walking, gardening and golfing (mean exercise hours/week). | 3, 3 (3); 3, 3 (3) |
| Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (Finland) (Pulkki et al 2003).32 | 9-year follow-up of participants aged 12–21 at baseline, n=1219 (56.4%). | Parent's prospectively ascertained and own education (always low or high, upward or downwardly mobile). | Index of the frequency, intensity and duration of exercise (low exercise score). | 6, 6 (6) |
| Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Surveys (Finland) (Karvonen et al 1999).33 | Sample of young Finns aged 16–18, n=8355 (53.4%). | Parent's prospectively ascertained occupation and index of own education, school attainment and labour market position (always low or high, upward or downwardly mobile). | ‘Which of the following describes best your physical activity?’ (Inactive: ‘I do not engage in physical activity at all during my leisure time’). | 6, 6 (6) |
| The Study of Men Born in 1913 (Sweden) (Faresjo et al 1994).34 | Sample of males aged 60 living in Gothenburg in 1963, n=855 (0%). | Parent's recalled and own occupation (always low or high, upward or downwardly mobile). | Exercise levels (no description). | 1, 2 (1.5) |
| The Johns Hopkins Precursors Study (USA) (Kittleson et al 2006).35 | Sample of male physicians aged 40+, n=1131 (0%). | Parental occupation recalled by physicians (always high, upward mobility). | ‘How much physical training have you had in the past month? (none, little, moderate and much)’. | 1, 1 (1) |
| Women Physician Health Study (USA) (Frank et al 3003).36 | Sample of female physicians aged 30–70, n=2884 (100%). | Parental education recalled by physicians (always high, upward mobility). | Exercising for at least 30 min 3 times per week. | 1, 1 (1) |
| Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study (Australia) (Gall et al 2010; Cleland et al 2009).37 38 | Follow-up to age 26–36 of the Schools Health and Fitness Survey, n=2047 and 1973 (54.2%; 52.8%). | Parent's recalled and own education (always low or medium or high, upward or downwardly mobile). | Time spent in moderate/vigorous physical activity (persistently inactive or active, increasingly or decreasingly active) and (active: ≥3 hours/week). | 4, 4 (4); 3, 3 (3) |
| Pelotas Birth Cohort 1982 (Brazil) (Azevedo et al 2008).39 | Pelotas birth cohort aged 23, n=4296 (48.5%). | Parent's prospectively ascertained and own income (always poor or non-poor, upward or downward mobility). | Time spent walking, biking, running and in recreational/competitive sports (inactive: <150 min/week). | 7, 7 (7) |