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Acculturation and physical activity among North Carolina Latina immigrants

Author

Listed:
  • Evenson, Kelly R.
  • Sarmiento, Olga L.
  • Ayala, Guadalupe X.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the association between acculturation and physical activity among first generation Latina (Hispanic women) immigrants living in North Carolina. As part of the multi-site Women's Cardiovascular Health Network, 671 first generation Latina immigrants 20-50 years of age completed in-person interviews on physical activity, acculturation (measured by a language scale, length of residence in the US, and age at arrival in the US) and other potential individual and contextual correlates of physical activity. All statistical models were adjusted for age, general health, number of children in the home, marital status, and education, with self-reported physical activity as the dependent variable. Among participants, 37.4% met recommendations for physical activity, 41.9% reported insufficient activity, and 20.7% reported no moderate or vigorous activity. Latinas with higher English language acculturation were more likely to be physically active than women with lower English language acculturation. Likewise, women who arrived to the US when they were younger than 25 years were more likely to be physically active than women who arrived when they were 25 years or older. Length of residence in the US was not associated with physical activity. These relationships persisted when restricting the sample to Mexican born women. We conclude that among first generation immigrants living in North Carolina, those with higher English language acculturation or who arrived to the US at younger ages were more likely to report being physically active. These findings suggest that future epidemiologic studies and physical activity interventions should measure and tailor programs based on English-language use and age of arrival to the US among Latina immigrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Evenson, Kelly R. & Sarmiento, Olga L. & Ayala, Guadalupe X., 2004. "Acculturation and physical activity among North Carolina Latina immigrants," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(12), pages 2509-2522, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:59:y:2004:i:12:p:2509-2522
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Whitney Babakus Curry & Joan L. Duda & Janice L. Thompson, 2015. "Perceived and Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time among South Asian Women in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Su, Dejun & Li, Lifeng & Pagán, José A., 2008. "Acculturation and the use of complementary and alternative medicine," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(2), pages 439-453, January.
    3. Afable-Munsuz, Aimee & Ponce, Ninez A. & Rodriguez, Michael & Perez-Stable, Eliseo J., 2010. "Immigrant generation and physical activity among Mexican, Chinese & Filipino adults in the U.S," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(12), pages 1997-2005, June.
    4. repec:pri:crcwel:wp08-15-ff is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Mehwish Nisar & Tracy L. Kolbe-Alexander & Nicola W. Burton & Asaduzzaman Khan, 2021. "A Longitudinal Assessment of Risk Factors and Chronic Diseases among Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Adults in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Lisa M. Bates & Julien O. Teitler, 2008. "Immigration and low birthweight in the US: The role of time and timing," Working Papers 1085, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    7. Elyssa M. Shoup & Thomas Hormenu & Nana H. Osei-Tutu & M. C. Sage Ishimwe & Arielle C. Patterson & Christopher W. DuBose & Annemarie Wentzel & Margrethe F. Horlyck-Romanovsky & Anne E. Sumner, 2020. "Africans Who Arrive in the United States before 20 Years of Age Maintain Both Cardiometabolic Health and Cultural Identity: Insight from the Africans in America Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Isaac Yeboah Addo & Loren Brener & Augustine Danso Asante & John Wit, 2022. "Moderating Effects of Socio-Demographic Factors in Associations Between Acculturation and Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviours: a Study of Australian Residents Born in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 2195-2217, December.

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