Social Determinants of Health and Parent and Child Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Exploration among Socioeconomically and Racially and Ethnically Diverse Families

Purpose: To examine the associations between baseline social determinants of health (SDOH) and physical activity (PA) in children and parents cross-sectionally (baseline) and longitudinally (18-months later). Design: Cross-sectional and longitudinal. Setting: Family Matters Cohort Study, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Sample: Parents with children aged 5-9 years (n = 1146). Measures: Parent self-reported (1) 25 SDOH factors mapped across 5 domains and (2) parent and children moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Analysis: Adjusted linear regression models. Results: Each of the SDOH domains were positively associated with parents and children MVPA levels (all P < 0.05), except Economic Stability (all P > 0.05). Families with high family functioning reported higher MVPA among children, cross-sectionally (β 1.27; 95% CI [0.67, 1.87]) and longitudinally (β 0.87; 95% CI [0.29, 1.46]). Parents exhibited higher levels of MVPA both cross-sectionally (β 0.66; 95% CI [0.11, 1.21]) and longitudinally (β 0.73; 95% CI [0.21, 1.26]) when they had greater social capital. Children also exhibited increased MVPA (β 1.10; 95% CI [0.41, 1.79]) when living in areas with high walkability to recreational places. Conclusion: Results indicate that SDOH may shape the PA habits of parents and children in a racially/ethnically diverse population. To advance health equity and support engagement in PA, researchers and clinicians should take into consideration SDOH factors related to a family’s educational, social, home, family functioning, and neighborhood environments.