Perceptions of constraints to leisure time physical activity among Latinos in Wake County, North Carolina.

PURPOSE

Examine and compare constraints to physical activity (PA) among Latinos based on age, gender, income, and self-reported leisure time PA (LTPA).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey. Partnered with a North Carolina nonprofit advocacy organization who recruited community leaders (promotores) to administer the survey to Latino constituents.

SETTING

Latino communities in Wake County, North Carolina.

SUBJECTS

Respondents (N  =  457) were mostly women (58%), with a mean age of 34 years (SD  =  11), low income (70% < $39K/year); 78% were born outside the United States, with a majority from Mexico (52%).

MEASURES

Sociodemographics; Stanford Brief PA Survey; constraints on PA were measured with 20 items assessing seven constructs (accessibility, facilities, knowledge, partners, psychologic, safety, and time).

ANALYSIS

Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, t-tests, and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Half of the sample was inactive. Eighty-one percent indicated that they would like to be more active and perceived lack of accessibility, partners, and knowledge of PA resources as the most constraining factors. Respondents in low-income categories cited significantly higher psychological and accessibility constraints. Inactive LTPA respondents perceived significantly higher constraints overall, with knowledge and accessibility having the largest effect sizes. No differences were found based on age and gender.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted that among Latinos, there may be an opportunity to increase activity levels by targeting knowledge about PA resources, increasing access to opportunities for PA, and enhancing the social environment for PA. Such efforts that target these constraints to increase PA may ultimately improve health.