Associated pathways between neighborhood environment, community resource factors, and leisure-time physical activity among Mexican-American adults in San Diego, California.

PURPOSE

To examine pathways between individual, social, and environmental factors associated with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among Mexican-American adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional design using random-digit dialing to administer a structured telephone interview.

SETTING

Mexican-American adults living in a U.S.-Mexican border community in San Diego, California (N = 672).

MEASURES

Data were collected on LTPA, demographic characteristics, acculturation, and other psychosocial and environmental factors associated with LTPA.

ANALYSIS

Structural equation modeling to test an a priori model of LTPA.

RESULTS

Participants were mostly female (71%) with a mean age of 39 years (SD = 13). Only 32% of participants met PA guidelines in their leisure time, with men (39%) meeting the guidelines more than women (29%). Using structural equation modeling, neighborhood factors, both social and environmental, showed indirect relationships with meeting PA guidelines through community resource factors. Significant covariates included marital status and age.

CONCLUSION

Individual, social, and environmental factors were associated with LTPA in this sample of Mexican-American adults. These findings can inform intervention studies that aim to increase LTPA in this population.