Perceived ethnic discrimination and leisure-time physical activity in Sweden: The impact of place of birth on the association

Aim/Background: Grounded in the Minority Stress Model, which conceptualizes discrimination as a chronic social stressor affecting health among minority populations, this study examines the association between perceived ethnic discrimination and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among adults in Sweden. Methods: Using representative cross-sectional data from the Health on Equal Terms survey, we analysed a sample of 64,273 individuals aged 16 to 84 years living in Sweden. Perceived discrimination was measured as offensive treatment and LTPA was measured through a question about physical movement during free time. Logistic regressions were performed to examine the association between perceived discrimination and LTPA. The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was estimated to assess the contribution of the region of birth to the relationship between discrimination and LTPA. Results: Findings show a low prevalence of perceived discrimination (1.3%) and a high prevalence of LTPA in the population (86.6%). However, a significant negative association was observed between perceived ethnic discrimination and engagement in LTPA (odds ratio: 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.56–0.96). Migrants born in Asia who reported discrimination were more likely to engage in LTPA (RERI: 0.11 (0.03–0.19)) compared with those born in Nordic countries. No significant interactions were found for other birth regions (i.e. South America, Africa, North America, and Oceania). Conclusion: These results suggest that perceived discrimination might shape health-related behaviours in the Swedish context. Future research should further investigate the mechanisms linking discrimination and health behaviours using longitudinal designs and multidimensional measures of social integration and stress processes.