The article is peer-reviewed and published in the scientific journal BMC Public Health: A survey study of physical activity participation in different organisational forms among groups of immigrants and descendants in Denmark.
What is the study about?
This is a quantitative cross-sectional study based on questionnaire data. Overall analyses have an N=152,414, where analyses done only on immigrants and descendants have an N=13,012.
The paper analyses the influence of ethnicity, immigrant status, and sociodemographic and -economic characteristics on the physical activity participation of immigrants and descendants in sports clubs, commercial centres and self-organised activities in Denmark.
Main conclusions:
- Immigrants and descendants generally participate less in sports clubs and self-organised physical activity than citizens of Danish origin, whereas differences are smaller or absent in commercial fitness centres.
- Immigrant status matters for participation patterns: A longer length of residence in Denmark increases the likelihood of participation in sports clubs, while participation in commercial centres decreases over time. Older age at arrival is associated with lower participation in both organisational forms.
- The local ethnic composition influences participation, as a higher proportion of residents with non-Danish ethnic backgrounds in the area is associated with lower participation in sports clubs and self-organised activities among immigrants and descendants.
- Sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors—especially education and income—play a key role in participation across all organisational forms, while gender, family composition, and employment status have more context-specific effects.
Published: 2025
Authors:
Eva Berthelsen Schmidt, Karsten Elmose-Østerlund and Bjarne Ibsen.
Contact:
Eva Berthelsen Schmidt, evaschmidt@health.sdu.dk.
Support/Funding:
Nordea-fonden and University of Southern Denmark.