There is inconsistent evidence that more, compared with less socially and materially deprived individuals are less likely to act on intentions to improve health-related behaviour, including levels of physical activity. Conducting meta-analyses of studies looking at physical activity and two other health behaviours (diet and medication adherence in smoking cessation), we found no evidence of socioeconomic differences in acting on intentions to change behaviour. For analyses using objectively measured behaviour, the gap between self-efficacy and behaviour was greater among those living in more deprived areas. This suggests self-efficacy may be playing a role in the social patterning seen in health-related behaviours, including physical activity.
Is the Intention-Behaviour Gap Greater amongst the More Deprived? A Meta-Analysis of Five Studies on Physical Activity, Diet, and Medication Adherence in Smoking Cessation. Vasiljevic, Ng, Griffin, Sutton, Marteau. 2016.
