Ethnic differences in sports participation in England

AbstractAim: to provide a detailed picture of ethnic differences in sports participation in England. Design: Health Survey for England data is used. Percentages and age-standardised logistic regression models compare participation in ten separate sports for eight ethnic groups. Logistic regression models explore ethnic differences in regular sporting activity allowing for a range of explanatory variables (for all respondents and for White, South Asian and Black respondents separately). Results: There is major variation in levels and types of sports participation for different ethnic groups. Sports participation of ethnic minority men is depressed by their socio-economic disadvantage and migrant status. Participation is low for South Asian and Black African women after controlling for socio-economic status and migration. First generation South Asian men and women are less likely to participate than second generation. Conclusion: Sports sociologists and policy makers should distinguish between different eth...