Does regional disadvantage affect health-related sport and physical activity level? A multi-level analysis of individual behaviour

Impact of economic growth on physical activity and sedentary behaviors: a Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

This study systematically reviewed scientific evidence regarding the impact of economic growth on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors.

METHODS

A keyword and reference search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and EBSCO from the inception of an electronic bibliographic database to November 2021. Studies that met all of the following criteria were included in the review: (1) study designs: observational studies; (2) study subjects: people of all ages; (3) exposure: macroeconomic growth; (4) outcomes: PA or sedentary behaviors/sitting time.

RESULTS

15 studies were identified. Eight among 12 studies found economic growth positively associated with at least one domain/measure of PA, whereas the remaining four found an inverse relationship. One of two studies examined the association of economic growth and physical inactivity found a positive relationship, while another found no significant relationship. Four studies examined the associations between economic growth and sedentary behaviors, and the results were inconclusive. The impact of economic growth on PA is through three main pathways-(a) building and maintaining parks and green spaces, (b) adoption of the modern workplace and high technology, and (c) motorized transportation.

CONCLUSION

Building and maintaining parks and green spaces can effectively promote leisure time physical activity and active commute in developed countries, whereas promoting workplace and transportation-related PA could be prioritized in developing nations. Future research calls for longitudinal study design and further exploration of macro-environmental factors. Policymakers and stakeholders should be informed about the potential PA reduction resulting from economic growth and develop preventive strategies to alleviate the problem.

Critical Masses and Gender Diversity in Voluntary Sport Leadership: The Role of Economic and Social State-Level Factors

Gender equality in leadership positions is important for sport organizations to achieve economic and social sustainability. Based on a multi-level framework, this study examines spillover effects from economic and social state-level factors in sport organizations’ environment on critical masses of women on their boards (in terms of share and numbers) and board gender diversity (reflected by different types of boards). Data of national and regional sport governing bodies in Germany were collected (n = 930), with variables capturing organizational characteristics (e.g., board composition) and economic and social factors at the state level. The results of regression analyses show that women’s attainment in tertiary education increases the likelihood of a critical mass of at least 30% women on the board, and a higher divorce rate increases the likelihood of a critical mass of three women on the board. Sport organizations in states with a higher gender wage gap are more likely to have balanced boards, indicating that volunteering might be a substitute to paid work. The findings suggest that the presence of women in sport leadership is affected by economic and social conditions in the organizations’ geographical surroundings and that spillover effects occur from the state level to the organizational level.

Geographical heterogeneity across England in associations between the neighbourhood built environment and body mass index

Effects of residential neighbourhood environments on health may vary across geographical space, with differences in local contexts influencing how much a given neighbourhood characteristic matters for the health of local residents. Linking UK Biobank data from 302,952 urban-dwelling adults in England, collected between 2006 and 2010, to publicly available Local Authority-level data, we examined (a) whether cross-sectional associations between body mass index (BMI) and two characteristics of the neighbourhood built environment (availability of formal physical activity facilities near home, and fast-food proximity) vary by Local Authority (LA), and (b) whether cross-level interactions with LA-level physical features (natural landcover) and socio-cultural attributes (local obesity norms) reveal evidence of effect modification by these features of the wider contexts in which neighbourhoods are located. We found variation across urban England in the relationship between availability of neighbourhood formal physical activity facilities and BMI, and some evidence suggesting this association was stronger among people living in areas with less natural landcover, especially in areas outside of London. We also found that the relationship between proximity of fast-food stores to people's homes and BMI varied geographically across England. Local descriptive obesity norms were not an important modifier of this association. This paper highlights the importance of considering potential geographical heterogeneity in relationships between the built environment and health, and the implications for generalisability of research findings. By seeking to better understand sources of geographical heterogeneity, we may be able to better adapt and target built environment interventions for population health improvement.

Conditions under Which Trickle-Down Effects Occur: A Realist Synthesis Approach

Policy makers often legitimize bids for major sport events and public funding of elite sports by trickle-down effects, suggesting that hosting events, sporting success, and athlete role models inspire the population to participate themselves in sport and physical activity. According to previous review articles, empirical evidence of trickle-down effects are mixed, with several studies citing marginal or no effect. The purpose of this study is to apply a realist synthesis approach to evaluate under which conditions trickle-down effects occur (i.e., what works for whom under which circumstances?). Using rapid evidence assessment methodology, 58 empirical articles were identified in the search process and critically analyzed through the lens of realist synthesis evaluation. The analysis identified six conditions under which trickle-down effects have occurred: Event leveraging initiatives, capacity of community sport to cater for new participants, live spectating experiences, consumption possibilities on television or other media, and communities housing event venues. The findings have implications for the sustainability of sport policy decisions and public finance, as the likelihood of trickle-down effects increases with integrated planning and sustainable spending related to the above six conditions.

Associations of Physical Activity Policies With Sports Participation in EU Countries: Higher Overall Levels, Smaller Social Inequalities, and More Positive Trends Since 2009

BACKGROUND

European Union member countries agreed on 23 health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) policy measures in 2013; however, the implementation of these measures varies considerably between countries. Hitherto, no evaluations have yet addressed the efficacy of these policies.

METHODS

Using a quantitative cross-country comparative approach and based on aggregate Eurobarometer data, this paper presents country-level associations between HEPA measures and the level of sports participation, the gender and educational inequalities of sports participation, and the change in sports participation from 2009 to 2017.

FINDINGS

The number of implemented HEPA policy measures is associated with higher levels and smaller social inequalities of sports participation in European Union countries. Moreover, HEPA measures correlate with more positive time trends in sports participation from 2009 to 2017.

CONCLUSION

In addition to the many influencing factors at the individual and social levels, these findings lend support to the notion that sports participation can also be promoted at the national level by implementing specific HEPA policies.