Men from affluent backgrounds who grew up in rural areas are more physically active in adulthood – childhood environment still had an effect at age 35

Based on the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study, researchers found that men from higher socioeconomic backgrounds who had grown up in rural areas were more physically active at the age of 35 than men from similar backgrounds who had grown up in urban environments.

The differences were particularly evident in total physical activity and light exercise. According to the study, men who grew up in rural areas were active for just under half an hour more per day than their peers who grew up in cities. The differences partly persisted even after the analysis accounted for factors such as body mass index, the physical demands of work, and adult residential environment.

No statistically significant associations were observed among women.

The study followed more than 800 individuals from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort from childhood to the age of 35. Participants included those who had lived in the same environment for at least five years before starting school in childhood. This allowed researchers to compare participants who grew up in rural and urban settings.

Family socioeconomic status was defined based on parents’ education and labour market status. Physical activity in adulthood was measured over a two-week period using an Oura ring.

According to the researchers, the results suggest that the foundations of an active lifestyle may be laid in early childhood. At the same time, the study highlights that promoting physical activity should take into account both family background and living environment.

“Our study shows that childhood environment and family background may be associated with physical activity in adulthood, but the relationship is not straightforward, as it is also influenced by later life circumstances”, says Doctoral Researcher Ulla-Maija Luoma.

According to Luoma, more longitudinal studies are needed in order to better understand which factors support the development of an active lifestyle throughout life.

The study was published in the journal Health and Place: Ulla-Maija Luoma, Soile Puhakka, Riitta Pyky, Anna-Maiju Leinonen, Maisa Niemelä, Raija Korpelainen, Tiina Lankila,
Association of childhood residential environment and family socioeconomic status with physical activity in early adulthood - a population-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study
Health & Place, Volume 99, 2026.