Association between childhood socioeconomic position and sports group participation among Japanese older adults: A cross-sectional study from the JAGES 2010 survey

Childhood sports club experiences mitigate the association between childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and functional disability in older Japanese men

This study examined whether childhood sports club experiences mitigate the association between childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and later life functional disability among older adults using a population-based study in Japan in a moderation analysis (n = 16,095, average age = 73 years). Functional disability was assessed using a 13-item measure of higher-level functional ability; scores below the 10th percentile indicated functional disability. Childhood socioeconomic status (SES) at age 15 years was assessed according to time-appropriate standards. Childhood sports club experiences were assessed according to the extent of club/group sports experience during different age periods. For both sexes, lower childhood SES was associated with higher functional disability risk, and longer cumulative childhood sports club experience was associated with lower risk. Childhood sports club experiences modified the association between childhood SES and functional disability in men. Among men with low childhood SES, those with two or more periods of childhood sports club experience had substantially lower functional disability risk than those with no experience (adjusted odds ratio = 0.32, 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.50). In women, childhood sports club experience did not modify the association with functional disability, but it modified the association with impaired intellectual activity, a subscale of higher-level functional ability.

Childhood socioeconomic status and social integration in later life: Results of the Japan gerontological evaluation study

Older people's social integration is important for their health and well-being. However, few studies have investigated the determinants of older adults' social integration through childhood socioeconomic status (SES). This study investigated the association between childhood SES and each aspect of social integration among Japanese older people. We used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study 2010, a self-reported survey of 23,320 functionally independent people aged 65 or older across Japan (response rate: 66.3%). Childhood SES was assessed based on respondents' subjective assessment of their SES at the age of 15. Social integration was identified as participation in community groups, social networks, being homebound, and being married. We used Poisson regression analysis with robust variance to investigate the association between childhood SES and each social integration measurement, adjusted for potential mediators; namely, adult sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health behavior (smoking), living status, and personality. Lower childhood SES had long-lasting impact on the social integration of this older Japanese cohort. In the fully adjusted model, older people with lower childhood SES were less likely to participate in community groups (Non-membership sports group or club, adjusted prevalence ratio [APR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.06; (Non-membership hobby group, APR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.00–1.09), almost never met friends (APR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.11–1.24), had a smaller social network (APR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.08–1.19), and were more likely to be homebound (APR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.05–1.45) than those with high childhood SES. Lower childhood SES negatively affected social integration in older age. Mitigating childhood poverty might be important to increase social integration in later life, thereby improving health outcomes.

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Low childhood socioeconomic status impacts social integration in old age.

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Social networks were the most prevalent indicator of social integration.

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Mitigating childhood poverty could improve health outcomes in later life.