Targeting sex disparities in physical inactivity: where and when action is most needed
1
School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
2
School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Australia
3
Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1280
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Sex differences in physical inactivity are widespread and closely linked to social and structural conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate global patterns and contextual factors associated with these differences to inform policy efforts to reduce inequality.
METHODS:
Physical inactivity data were extracted from the Global Health Observatory for 197 countries and territories. For each country, overall and age-specific absolute and relative sex differences were calculated. Countries were grouped into four profiles based on their overall prevalence of physical inactivity and their relative difference in physical inactivity between males and females. Country context variables, including the Human Development Index (HDI), Gini coefficient (wealth inequality), and Gender Inequality Index (GII), were retrieved from official websites, and their associations with sex differences were assessed using polynomial regressions.
RESULTS:
The median absolute difference between females and males was 6.5 percentage points, and the prevalence of physical inactivity was, on average, 31% higher among females than males (relative sex difference = 1.31). Sex differences varied by age, with the highest absolute differences in the 18–29 and 80+ year groups, and the highest relative differences in the 18–29-year group. Relative differences in inactivity were negatively associated with HDI and positively associated with the Gini coefficient and GII. Countries with both high overall inactivity and large sex gaps were concentrated in Latin America, the Caribbean, and South Asia, while lower inequality profiles were common in Central and Eastern Europe.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings from our study highlight that sex differences in physical inactivity are strongly shaped by macro-social and structural conditions, indicating that policies to reduce physical inactivity should adopt a gender‑responsive approach that addresses broader inequalities in development, income, and gender equity rather than relying solely on individual‑level interventions.
Sex differences in physical inactivity are widespread and closely linked to social and structural conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate global patterns and contextual factors associated with these differences to inform policy efforts to reduce inequality.
METHODS:
Physical inactivity data were extracted from the Global Health Observatory for 197 countries and territories. For each country, overall and age-specific absolute and relative sex differences were calculated. Countries were grouped into four profiles based on their overall prevalence of physical inactivity and their relative difference in physical inactivity between males and females. Country context variables, including the Human Development Index (HDI), Gini coefficient (wealth inequality), and Gender Inequality Index (GII), were retrieved from official websites, and their associations with sex differences were assessed using polynomial regressions.
RESULTS:
The median absolute difference between females and males was 6.5 percentage points, and the prevalence of physical inactivity was, on average, 31% higher among females than males (relative sex difference = 1.31). Sex differences varied by age, with the highest absolute differences in the 18–29 and 80+ year groups, and the highest relative differences in the 18–29-year group. Relative differences in inactivity were negatively associated with HDI and positively associated with the Gini coefficient and GII. Countries with both high overall inactivity and large sex gaps were concentrated in Latin America, the Caribbean, and South Asia, while lower inequality profiles were common in Central and Eastern Europe.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings from our study highlight that sex differences in physical inactivity are strongly shaped by macro-social and structural conditions, indicating that policies to reduce physical inactivity should adopt a gender‑responsive approach that addresses broader inequalities in development, income, and gender equity rather than relying solely on individual‑level interventions.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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