Conference Agenda

Adolescents with migration backgrounds may face social disadvantages influencing their engagement in physical activity. Social support may help explain these inequalities. Current study examined whether social support mediates the association between migration background and physical activity, moderated by gender.

This cross-sectional study included 7,640 adolescents aged 11–18 years from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Luxembourg 2022 survey. A moderated parallel mediation model was estimated using structural equation modelling, Moderated-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) was examined as outcome, migration background (1^st and 2^nd generation) as the exposure and family, peers, teacher and classmate support as mediators, adjusted for age, socioeconomic status and family structure. Indirect and total effects were estimated using Monte Carlo confidence intervals.

Migration background was negatively associated with all social support indicators, with stronger effects among girls. Among boys, peer support significantly mediated the relationship between migration background and MVPA (indirect effect=−0.009, 95%CI[−0.019, −0.002]). The total indirect effect was significant, but not the direct effect. Among girls, none of the mediators were associated with MVPA. In addition, migration background showed significant direct negative association with MVPA (direct effect=−0.187; total effect=−0.195, 95%CI[−0.320, −0.071]). Structural paths differed significantly between sexes.

In Luxembourg, peer support partially explains lower MVPA among boys with migrant background, whereas lower physical activity among girls with migrant background appears to operate through other mechanisms. Tailored interventions should reflect those differences.

Support/Funding Source:

Ministry of Health and Social Security

Ministry of Education, Children and Youth

University of Luxembourg

Background

Inequalities in children’s physical activity (PA) are often examined using single PA indicators. Multidimensional PA patterns and their interaction with complex socio-spatial conditions are rarely studied. Therefore, the aim was to identify PA profiles among primary school children and investigate their socio-spatial distribution in an urban environment.

Methods

Data from 495 first-grade children participating in the KOMPASS(2) school-based cohort study were analysed. PA profiles were derived using cluster analysis from parent-reported indicators of children’s PA (overall PA, outdoor PA, sports participation, active school travel). Socio-spatial conditions were defined using the social monitoring system of the City of Leipzig (Germany) based on school location. Multinomial logistic regression models were calculated to examine associations between PA profiles, socio-spatial conditions, and parental characteristics (e.g., socioeconomic indicators).

Results

Five distinct PA profiles emerged. Children attending schools in deprived areas were significantly more likely to belong to the least active PA profile (p<0.01) and to a profile characterised by PA without sports participation (p=0.01), whereas a multidimensional active profile was more common in non-deprived areas. After adjusting for parental characteristics, lower parental education remained significantly associated with less diverse PA profiles (p<0.05).

Conclusions

PA profiles of primary school children indicate socio-spatial inequalities. Children attending schools in deprived urban areas appear to face greater risks of less favourable PA patterns and have lower chances of engaging in sports activities. Findings suggest the need for targeted PA promotion in deprived urban areas, combined with support for families with lower educational attainment, to facilitate equitable PA opportunities.