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Conference Agenda

Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).

Daily Overview

Session

WR1_1_4: Pitch oral & Children and Adolescents Working Group Meeting
Location: White room 1
Session Chair: Javier Brazo-Sayavera

Presentation 1

4:40pm - 4:43pm

Sociodemographic stratification and patterns of physical activity disparities among Finnish youth

Unna Päivinen

University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Purpose of the study

Low levels of physical activity (PA) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. In Finland, insufficient PA is estimated to generate societal costs of approximately €3–7.5 billion annually. Among youth, PA and physical functioning are influenced by sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnic background, which shape health behaviors across the life course. Despite growing evidence on these inequalities, little is known about the cumulative influence of multiple sociodemographic inequalities on individuals’ physical activity. The aim of this study is to examine sociodemographic inequalities in device-measured PA among Finnish youth.

Methods

The study uses data from the Finnish School-aged Physical Activity Study (FSPA/LIITU) 2024, including students in grades 5, 7, and 9 (approximately 11–15 years, N ≈ 2000). Structural equation modelling (SEM) and the Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (MAIHDA) will be applied to examine how sociodemographic factors intersect in shaping PA and physical functioning.

Results

The results are expected to provide new insights into sociodemographic differences in PA and physical functioning among Finnish youth and to highlight population groups at higher risk of low PA and reduced physical functioning. The data analysis will be conducted in April 2026.

Conclusion

The findings will contribute to evidence-based decision-making and support the development of targeted policies and interventions aimed at promoting equitable opportunities for physical activity among youth. The study is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.