The introduction of a minimum wage in Germany and the effects on physical activity participation.

The relationship between income and physical activity has been extensively studied. This paper utilizes the introduction of the minimum wage in Germany in 2015 as a quasi-experiment to determine the causal effect of minimum wages on the frequency of physical activity participation. Employing survey data from the German Socio-Economic Panel between 2013 and 2017, regression-adjusted difference-in-difference models combined with matching techniques are estimated. Our findings reveal a notable negative effect immediately after the minimum wage implementation on physical activity frequency. Given that the introduction of the minimum wage did not increase monthly gross income but reduced working hours, it appears that affected individuals exhibit preferences and engage in utility maximization that do not emphasize healthy behaviors. This effect is particularly pronounced among older females in white-collar occupations.

The relationship between leisure-time physical activity and job satisfaction: A dynamic panel data approach.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has documented a positive effect of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on life satisfaction. The relationship between physical activity and the specific domain of job satisfaction is, however, relatively unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of different frequency levels of LTPA on self-reported job satisfaction and specifically focuses on the two mechanisms of health and recovery from work stress. METHODS: Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (2001-2019), fixed effects and dynamic panel data regression models are estimated to address the problems of unobserved heterogeneity and reverse causality. A mediation and sub-sample analysis shed light on the role of health and work stress. RESULTS: The results reveal that weekly LTPA has a positive effect on job satisfaction and that health represents a channel yielding those benefits. The effect appears to be moderated by work stress. Further, the analysis reveals the importance of considering unobserved heterogeneity and reverse causality when studying this relationship. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a positive relationship between regular LTPA and job satisfaction and add plausible causal evidence to the limited literature in this context. The findings yield implications for employers and employees.

The relationship between physical activity and out-of-pocket health care costs of the elderly in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Increasing health care costs represent an economic burden placed on individuals across many European countries. Against this backdrop, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in physical activity and out-of-pocket health care costs in Europe. METHODS: Individual data from the cross-national Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement (n = 94 267) including 16 European countries were utilized. Two-part models were estimated to investigate how different levels of participation frequency in physical activity are related to out-of-pocket costs (OOPC) for people aged 50 years and older. RESULTS: Only participation in physical activity more than once a week significantly decreases the probability of incurring any OOPC. However, all frequencies of physical activity significantly reduce the level of costs, with the highest savings being generated by participation once a week. The results reveal higher savings for men compared to women. CONCLUSION: Physical activity can be a useful policy instrument to reduce the economic burden of out-of-pocket health care costs for an aging population in Europe. Public officials should primarily promote physical activity interventions targeting older people who are not active at all.

Organizational-level determinants of participation in workplace health promotion programs: a cross-company study.

BACKGROUND: Attracted by the expected benefits such as reduced absenteeism and increased productivity, more and more firms decide to implement workplace health promotion programs (WHPPs). However, those programs can only be effective if employees actually participate. This study aims to (1) gain insight into the degree of enrolment rates in such programs across companies and (2) identify organizational level factors that are associated with employee participation. Building on existing theory on organizational drivers of participation in corporate wellness programs, the study's main goal is to investigate which organizational factors determine whether employees enroll in a corporate fitness program or not. METHODS: A business-to-business fitness platform company provided organizational level data on 61 client firms that have recently implemented a corporate wellness program. The data contained information on the enrolment rate per company and different organizational level variables. The following potential determinants of participation were analyzed: firm size, organizational program support and employee co-payment. A random effects model was used to examine associations between potential determinants and the program enrolment rate. RESULTS: The average participation is limited (15.37%) but varies highly across companies (range 0.07-100.00%, monthly basis). Looking at the determinants of program enrolment, we find that organizational program support - the degree to which firm leadership encourages participation - positively influences the enrolment rate (ß = 0.051 p < 0.001) while employee co-payment - the financial contribution employees have to make to participate - has a negative impact (ß = - 0.002, p < 0.001). Furthermore, firm size has a negative relationship with firm enrolment. CONCLUSIONS: Enrolment rates in WHPPs are limited, as many companies have difficulties to promote participation in WHPPs among employees. Strong organizational program support and low employee co-payment were identified as drivers of employee participation in corporate health programs. Hence, intensifying both social and financial support of employee participation may help to drive enrolment rates. Firm size was found to negatively affect the enrolment rate in WHPPs, implying that larger firms have to account for their size and corresponding complexity when implementing such a program.

How an aging society affects the economic costs of inactivity in Germany: empirical evidence and projections.

BACKGROUND: Aging societies represent a major challenge for health care systems all over the world. As older people tend to be more physically inactive, economic costs of inactivity are likely to increase notably. The present study aims to investigate this relationship between an aging society and economic costs of inactivity using the example of Germany. METHODS: Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, this study applied the comparative risk assessment method developed by the WHO to estimate the direct costs of inactivity for the period 2001-2013 differentiated by gender-specific age-groups (15-29; 30-44; 45-64; 65+). Based on population statistics predicting the aging of the German population for the years 2014-2060, this research projects the development of future costs of inactivity and potential effects of interventions promoting physical activity among the German population. RESULTS: The results reveal an increase in the level of physical activity during the observed period (2001-2013) which compensated the negative effect of aging and resulted in a decline of inactivity costs. The projections for the years 2014-2060 indicate a constant increase in direct per capita costs until 2060 because of an aging society. Scenarios indicating how a short-term reduction of physical inactivity impacts costs of inactivity reveal the crucial role of the oldest age-group in this context. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the aging of the German population demands further actions and initiatives to promote physical activity, especially for the oldest age-group.