Childhood physical activity as a labor market investment

Abstract

This study examined the role of physical activity and changes in physical activity levels during childhood in long‐term labor market outcomes. To address this important but under‐researched theme, the study utilized data drawn from longitudinal research, the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (YFS), and from registries compiled by Statistics Finland. The study consisted of children aged 9 (n=1565) and 15 (n=2445) at the time their physical activity was measured. Labor market outcomes, including employment status, average employment months, and average unemployment months, were calculated from 1997 to 2010, when the participants were aged 20 to 48 years. Regression models were used to assess the relationship between physical activity and labor market outcomes. The results show that the consequences of childhood physical activity may be far‐reaching, as higher childhood physical activity was positively related to the probability of being employed and employment months and was negatively related to unemployment months. On average, a one‐unit increase in physical activity index was related to a 1% higher probability of being employed, 0.10 more months of yearly employment, and 0.05 fewer months of yearly unemployment. The results also imply that persistently active individuals had the highest level of employment and the lowest level of unemployment compared with other activity groups. In conclusion, investments in childhood physical activity may not only promote health and well‐being but may also correlate with better labor market outcomes later in life, providing both personal and societal benefits.