Socioeconomic inequalities in sport participation: pattern per sport and time trends

BackgroundSport participation is an important component of a healthy lifestyle and is known to be more common among privileged individuals. However, few studies have examined socio-demographic patterns of participation by type of activity. This study aims at quantifying socio-economic inequalities in sport participation by sport type, and to analyse their trend over 15 years. MethodsWe used 2005-2019 data from the Bus Sante study, a yearly population-based cross-sectional survey of Geneva adults. Sport participation was defined as reporting at least one sporting activity over the previous week; educational level, household income and occupational position were used as indicators of socio-economic position. Socio-economic inequalities in sport participation, and their trend over time, were examined using the relative and slope indexes of inequality (RII/SII). ResultsOut of 7769 participants (50.1% women, mean age 46 years old), 60% participated in a sporting activity. Results showed that the higher the socioeconomic circumstances, the higher the sport participation (RII=1.78; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.64-1.92; SII=0.33; 95%CI: 0.29-0.37 for education). Relative inequalities varied per sport e.g., 0.68 (95%CI: 0.44-1.07) in football participation and 4.25 (95%CI: 2.68-6.75) in tennis/badminton participation for education. Yearly absolute inequalities in sport participation tended to increase between 2005 and 2019 for household income ({beta}=0.01; P-value=0.024). ConclusionWe observed strong socio-economic inequalities in sport participation in Geneva, with different magnitude depending on the type of sport. These inequalities seemed to increase over the 2005-2019 period. Our results call for tailored measures to promote the participation of socially disadvantaged populations in sporting activities. KEY MESSAGESO_LISport participation is associated with higher socioeconomic conditions. Research on the patterning of inequalities per sport type and on their trend over time remains scarce. C_LIO_LIThere are high growing socioeconomic inequalities in sport participation in Geneva. Inequalities in sport participation are heterogeneous and lower in sports practised in group. C_LIO_LITailored sport promotion measures are needed for disadvantaged populations. C_LI