Wealth Gap in Exercise Habits Widens Fivefold in Nine Years
Higher Income Linked to More Physical Activity and Longer Lifespan
A survey has revealed that there is a wealth gap in exercise habits. It was found that the higher the income, the more likely people are to engage in physical activities such as aerobic exercises like walking as well as strength training.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced the '2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.' Pixabay
According to the '2023 National Health and Nutrition Survey' released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 44.5% of adults in South Korea practiced walking for a total of at least 30 minutes a day, more than 5 days a week. When classified by income level (quintiles), the lowest group, 'Ha', had the lowest walking practice rate at 39.1%, while the highest group, 'Sang', showed a difference of over 10 percentage points at 49.2%. In the 2014 survey, this gap was only 2 percentage points, but in the 2023 survey, nine years later, it widened more than fivefold.
There was also a difference in the practice rate of aerobic physical activity according to income. This is based on the proportion of people who engaged in moderate-intensity physical activity for 2 hours and 30 minutes or more per week, or high-intensity physical activity for 1 hour and 15 minutes or more. Among all adults, 52.5% answered "yes," with the 'Ha' income group at 48.3%, while the 'Sang' group was 57.2%, 8.9 percentage points higher.
The practice rate of strength activities, defined as performing strength training two or more times in the past week, showed a similar pattern. The highest income group had a rate of 32.8%, whereas the 'Ha' group was 21.4%, with high-income individuals being 11.4 percentage points higher. This gap also nearly doubled from 5.2 percentage points in 2014.
Wealth Gap Also Influences Lifespan
Research also shows that the wealth gap is closely related to lifespan.
In 2023, The Times in the UK highlighted a study showing that babies born in wealthy areas can live 12 years longer than those born in less affluent areas. Babies born in the City of London electoral district, the financial center and wealthiest area of London, and Westminster electoral district, home to the upscale Mayfair neighborhood, were expected to live up to 88 years. In contrast, babies born in Glasgow, Scotland, had a life expectancy of 76 years, 12 years shorter than those in wealthy neighborhoods.
The gap has been widening over time. The life expectancy gap between wealthy and poor areas has increased by 2 years over the past 20 years. The Times reported on these findings, stating, "Experts warn that millions of lives have been shortened by more than 10 years due to poor housing conditions, inadequate education, and poverty."
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