Drivers of inequality in physical activity participation: the role of automatic and conscious self-regulation processes, physical environment, across populations with lower and higher socioeconomic status
1
SWPS University, Warszawa, Poland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1484
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The study investigates how automatic regulatory processes (habit, referring to the behaviour automaticity), conscious processes (self-regulation, encompassing self-monitoring, awareness of standards, and regulatory effort), and physical environment (perceived physical activity-supporting environment in the neighbourhood, perceived physical activity-supporting environment at home, perceived sedentary behaviour-supporting environment at home) operate together in explaining moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). It is also examined whether these associations are moderated by socioeconomic status (SES, a combined indicator of income and education).
METHODS:
Participants (N = 738; M age = 40.14, SD = 17.85, 64.4% women) provided data three times, spanning two weeks between Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2), and eight months between T2 and Time 3 (T3). MVPA time was assessed using ActiGraph GT3X-BT accelerometers. Moderated mediation models were fit.
RESULTS:
High availability of MVPA-supporting physical environment facilities in the neighbourhood (T2) was associated with more minutes spent on MVPA (T3), but only among participants with high SES. Conversely, high availability of sedentary behaviour-supporting environment at home (T2) was associated with less MVPA (T3), but only within the subsample with low-to-medium SES. Direct and indirect effects of conscious and automatic regulatory processes were not moderated by SES.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings suggest that SES may moderate the effect of environment perceptions on MVPA, highlighting potential drivers of inequalities in MVPA participation. Physical activity promotion actions may need to address different environmental changes, depending on the economic status and education of the target groups.
The study investigates how automatic regulatory processes (habit, referring to the behaviour automaticity), conscious processes (self-regulation, encompassing self-monitoring, awareness of standards, and regulatory effort), and physical environment (perceived physical activity-supporting environment in the neighbourhood, perceived physical activity-supporting environment at home, perceived sedentary behaviour-supporting environment at home) operate together in explaining moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). It is also examined whether these associations are moderated by socioeconomic status (SES, a combined indicator of income and education).
METHODS:
Participants (N = 738; M age = 40.14, SD = 17.85, 64.4% women) provided data three times, spanning two weeks between Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2), and eight months between T2 and Time 3 (T3). MVPA time was assessed using ActiGraph GT3X-BT accelerometers. Moderated mediation models were fit.
RESULTS:
High availability of MVPA-supporting physical environment facilities in the neighbourhood (T2) was associated with more minutes spent on MVPA (T3), but only among participants with high SES. Conversely, high availability of sedentary behaviour-supporting environment at home (T2) was associated with less MVPA (T3), but only within the subsample with low-to-medium SES. Direct and indirect effects of conscious and automatic regulatory processes were not moderated by SES.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings suggest that SES may moderate the effect of environment perceptions on MVPA, highlighting potential drivers of inequalities in MVPA participation. Physical activity promotion actions may need to address different environmental changes, depending on the economic status and education of the target groups.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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