Physical Activity in Older Mexican Americans Living in Two Cities on the U.S.-Mexico Border.

BACKGROUND

There is limited information on physical activity in marginalized older populations like that on the U.S.-Mexico border. This study aims to understand physical activity engagement among older Hispanics residing in two U.S.-Mexico Border counties.

METHODS

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to measure physical activity in El Paso and Cameron County, Texas. Physical activity levels were reported for vigorous, moderate, and walking met/mins. Adjusted and unadjusted modeling was conducted to determine county differences and sociodemographic covariates.

RESULTS

There were 784 participants and 92.9% were less than 65 years of age. El Paso participants reported a significantly greater natural log met/mins of vigorous ( = 1.34, = 0.000) and walking ( = 0.331, = 0.006). Significant sociodemographic covariates in El Paso for vigorous met/mins were gender (females = -1.20, = 0.003), having a regular doctor ( = -0.779, = 0.029), and acculturation ( = 0.513, = 0.019). Significant associations in Cameron County were having a regular doctor ( = -1.03, = 0.000) and fair/poor health status ( = -0.475, = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Level of physical activity may differ in older Hispanics by urban context on the U.S.-Mexico border. Future physical activity programs to promote physical activity should take context into consideration.