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What is the background to the project?

  • Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence is associated with beneficial health outcomes, including a reduced risk of obesity and depression and improved cardiometabolic health, muscle and bone strength.
  • Despite this, it is estimated that worldwide 81% of adolescents (11-17 years) are insufficiently physically active, classified as not meeting the current physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per day.
  • Varying influencing factors determine children’s physical activity levels which are well-established, including gender and age, yet findings pertaining to socioeconomic status (SES) remain equivocal.
  • SES is an important determinant of health and can shape and influence attitudes, experiences, behaviours, exposure to health risk factors and access to services and healthy environments including opportunities to be physically active.
  • It is well established that a socioeconomic gap in sports participation and physical activity exists among children and adolescents in high-income countries, where children and adolescents living in households with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to participate in sport and to meet physical activity guidelines.
  • Despite efforts to reduce inequalities in physical activity, progress on reducing these inequalities is challenging.

What is the aim of this study?

The overall aim of this scoping review is to review existing literature across the UK and Ireland to determine if the socioeconomic gap in child and adolescent physical activity in the UK and Ireland has changed over time.

Where can I find more information?