Selected Socio-Economic Determinants of the Physical Activity of Unemployed and Employed Residents of the Wrocław Agglomertion a Cross-Sectional Studyintroduction

<ns3:p>The main aim of the study was the identification the relationships between the level of physical activity and selected determinants of the socio-economic status of unemployed and employed residents in their working age of the Wrocław agglomeration. The study had cross-sectional nature and it used a diagnostic survey method in the form of a direct interview. The following criteria were adopted for the participants’ inclusion in the study: address of residence – one of the selected streets; working age – 18-64 years old; and no chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and osteoporosis. Two research tools were applied: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Version (IPAQ-SF) and the Socio-Economic Status Questionnaire (S-ESQ). The total study material was provided by 4332 respondents and 872 individuals were selected (403 unemployed and 469 employed). The analysis of the research results showed that the unemployed Wrocław residents presented a lower level of physical activity than the employed ones. Gender and income significantly determined the level of physical activity, regardless of the respondents’ occupational status. However, among the unemployed their marital status and financial liabilities, and among the employed their level of education and savings were significantly correlated with the level of physical activity. Among the unemployed women from Wrocław, significantly lower levels of physical activity variables were noted, compared to their employed counterparts. The study results allowed concluding that the analysis of the level and conditions of physical activity of the unemployed and the employed should be continued and extended to other subpopulations. This can allow undertaking effective prophylactic and therapeutic actions in relation to social groups most threatened by hypokinesia, including the unemployed. Programs aimed at improving physical activity seem to be particularly important, and should be addressed both to the unemployed and their families.</ns3:p>