Socioeconomic disparities in physical activity among Swedish women and trends over time – the population study of women in Gothenburg

AbstractObjective: To explore secular trends in physical activity in relation to socioeconomic position in middle-aged women, with focus on whether the social gaps have become wider, narrower, or remain unchanged.Design: Cohort comparisons between two representative samples of women, recruited in 1980–81 and 2004–05 as a part of the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg.Setting: Gothenburg, the second largest city of Sweden, with ≈ 450 000 inhabitants.Subjects: Population-based cohorts of 38- and 50-year-old women, invited in 1980–81 and 2004–05 to free health examinations. The study population in 1980 was n = 477, 38- and 50-year-old women born in 1930 (n = 355) and 1942 (n = 122), and in 2004 n = 500, 38- and 50-year- old women born in 1966 (n = 207) and 1954 (n = 293).Main outcome measure: Physical activity at work and leisure time. Socioeconomic position was defined based on socio-occupational group and level of education. Physical activity during work and leisure time was based on questionnaires.Re...