Educational level and decreases in leisure time physical activity: predictors from the longitudinal GLOBE study

Study objective-This study describes educational differences in decreases i n leisure time physical activity among an adult, physically active populati on and additionally attempts to identify predictors of these differences fr om information on health status and individual and environmental factors. Design-Prospective population based study. Baseline measurement were carrie d out in 1991 and follow up in 1997. Setting-South eastern part of the Netherlands. Participants-The study included 3793 subjects who were physically active in 1991 and who participated in the follow up. Methods-Potential predictors of decreasing physical activity were measured in 1991. Logistic regression analyses were carried out for two age groups ( <45 years; <greater than or equal to>45 years) separately. Main results-Lower educated respondents experienced statistically significa nt higher odds to decrease physical activity during follow up, compared wit h respondents with higher vocational schooling or a university degree. Perc eived control was the main predictor of educational differences in decreasi ng physical activity in both age groups. In the older group, material probl ems and a poor perceived health experienced by lower educated people additi onally predicted educational differences in decreases in physical activity during leisure time. Conclusions-These findings have important implications for health promotion practice and policy to prevent socioeconomic differences in physical inact ivity and health. There is a need for evidence-based interventions that imp rove perceived control and reduce material problems in lower educated group s.