Table 1 Characteristics of the background factors by leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) status in 1975 and in 1981
Background factors | Persistently active in 1975 and in 1981 (AA; n = 1545) | Change in LTPA status between 1975 and 1981 (IA or AI, n = 1981) | Persistently inactive in 1975 and in 1981 (II, n = 1728) |
|---|---|---|---|
mean (SD) | mean (SD) | mean (SD) | |
Age in 1975 (years) | 24.1 (3.7) | 23.7 (3.8) | 23.8 (3.8) |
Body Mass Index in 1975 (kg/m^2) | 21.5 (2.5) | 21.5 (2.7) | 21.7 (2.9) |
Alcohol consumption in 1975 (g /day) | 7.2 (9.6) | 7.0 (10.2) | 7.0 (10.1) |
Education years in 1981, mean (SD), median (range) | 9.2 (3.2), 7 (3-16) | 9.0 (3.1), 7 (6-16) | 8.6 (2.9), 7 (3-16) |
Education level in 1981 | % | % | % |
Less than primary school (3 years) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Primary school (6 years) | 19 | 22 | 26 |
Primary school + at least 1 year vocational school (7 years) | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Secondary school (9 years) | 8 | 9 | 8 |
Secondary school + at least 1 year vocational school (10 years) | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Upper secondary school (12 years) | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Upper secondary school + at least 1 year vocational school (13 years) | 12 | 13 | 12 |
University degree (16 years) | 10 | 8 | 5 |
Social class in 1975 | |||
Upper white collar | 7 | 5 | 4 |
Lower white collar | 32 | 27 | 25 |
Skilled worker | 36 | 36 | 40 |
Unskilled worker | 8 | 10 | 9 |
Farmer | 3 | 3 | 5 |
Other | 14 | 18 | 17 |
Marital Status in 1975 | |||
Married or co-habiting | 41 | 41 | 46 |
Single, divorced or widowed | 59 | 59 | 54 |
Working status in 1975 | |||
At work | 77 | 65 | 59 |
Not at work | 23 | 35 | 41 |
Smoking status in 1975 | |||
Never smoker | 53 | 49 | 45 |
Former smoker | 17 | 15 | 15 |
Current smoker | 30 | 36 | 40 |