Table 1.

Characteristics of studies examining associations between intergenerational social mobility and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in adulthood: arranged by country

Study name (country) (reference(s))	Description (% female)	Intergenerational social mobility (group definitions)	Physical activity (outcome(s) examined)	Quality scores (average)
MRC National Survey of Health and Development (UK) (Silverwood et al 2012).23	1946 British birth cohort aged 36–53, n=3847 (49.6%).	Parent's prospectively ascertained and own occupation (always manual (M) or non-manual (NM), upward or downwardly mobile) and education (always lower or advanced, upward or downwardly mobile).	Physical activity latent variables labelled (LTPA: low, gardening and DIY, sports and exercise) and (walking), (cycling) and (sitting).	6, 6 (6)
British Regional Heart Study (UK) (Wannamethee et al 1996; Ramsay et al 2009).24 25	Sample of males aged 52–74 recruited from GP lists in 24 British towns, n=2188 and 5188 (0%).	Parent's recalled and own occupation (always M or NM, upward or downwardly mobile).	Time spent in physical activities such as walking, cycling and sports (active: no description) and (inactive: none or occasionally active).	2, 2 (2); 2, 2 (2)
British Women's Heart and Health Study (UK) (Watt et al 2009; Lawlor et al 2004).26 27	Sample of females aged 60–79 recruited from GP lists in 23 British towns, n=3444 and 3523 (100%).	Parent's recalled and own occupation (always M or NM, upward or downwardly mobile).	Time spent in domestic, recreational and sports activities (low exercise: <2 hours/week) and (low exercise: <1 hours/week).	2, 2 (2); 2, 2 (2)
Scottish Health Survey 2003 (UK) (Popham 2010).28	Sample of Scottish residents aged 35–54, n=2770 (% unknown).	Parent's recalled and own occupation: always I/II, IIINM, IIIM or IV/V, upward or downwardly mobile).	Frequency of several types of sports and exercises during previous 4 weeks (participated ≥once in sport/ exercise at moderate/high intensity for ≥15 min/day).	4, 4 (4)
Mid span family Study (UK) (Hart et al 2008).29	Sample of the 1970s Renfrew/Paisley Study offspring aged 30–59, n=2338 (55.5%).	Parent's prospectively ascertained and own occupation (always M or NM, upward or downwardly mobile).	Frequency of daily physical activity including LTPA (no exercise: not very/at all active in daily activities including at work and active for < once/week or never outside of work).	5, 5 (5)
West of Scotland Collaborative Study (UK) (Blane et al 1996; Hart et al 1998).30 31	Sample of males aged 35–64 employed in 27 Scottish work places, n>5500 (0%).	Parent's recalled and own occupation (always I/II, IIINM, IIIM or IV/V, upward or downwardly mobile) and (always M or NM, upward or downwardly mobile).	Time spent in exercise outside work including walking, gardening and golfing (mean exercise hours/week).	3, 3 (3); 3, 3 (3)
Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (Finland) (Pulkki et al 2003).32	9-year follow-up of participants aged 12–21 at baseline, n=1219 (56.4%).	Parent's prospectively ascertained and own education (always low or high, upward or downwardly mobile).	Index of the frequency, intensity and duration of exercise (low exercise score).	6, 6 (6)
Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Surveys (Finland) (Karvonen et al 1999).33	Sample of young Finns aged 16–18, n=8355 (53.4%).	Parent's prospectively ascertained occupation and index of own education, school attainment and labour market position (always low or high, upward or downwardly mobile).	‘Which of the following describes best your physical activity?’ (Inactive: ‘I do not engage in physical activity at all during my leisure time’).	6, 6 (6)
The Study of Men Born in 1913 (Sweden) (Faresjo et al 1994).34	Sample of males aged 60 living in Gothenburg in 1963, n=855 (0%).	Parent's recalled and own occupation (always low or high, upward or downwardly mobile).	Exercise levels (no description).	1, 2 (1.5)
The Johns Hopkins Precursors Study (USA) (Kittleson et al 2006).35	Sample of male physicians aged 40+, n=1131 (0%).	Parental occupation recalled by physicians (always high, upward mobility).	‘How much physical training have you had in the past month? (none, little, moderate and much)’.	1, 1 (1)
Women Physician Health Study (USA) (Frank et al 3003).36	Sample of female physicians aged 30–70, n=2884 (100%).	Parental education recalled by physicians (always high, upward mobility).	Exercising for at least 30 min 3 times per week.	1, 1 (1)
Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study (Australia) (Gall et al 2010; Cleland et al 2009).37 38	Follow-up to age 26–36 of the Schools Health and Fitness Survey, n=2047 and 1973 (54.2%; 52.8%).	Parent's recalled and own education (always low or medium or high, upward or downwardly mobile).	Time spent in moderate/vigorous physical activity (persistently inactive or active, increasingly or decreasingly active) and (active: ≥3 hours/week).	4, 4 (4); 3, 3 (3)
Pelotas Birth Cohort 1982 (Brazil) (Azevedo et al 2008).39	Pelotas birth cohort aged 23, n=4296 (48.5%).	Parent's prospectively ascertained and own income (always poor or non-poor, upward or downward mobility).	Time spent walking, biking, running and in recreational/competitive sports (inactive: <150 min/week).	7, 7 (7)