Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109732

James H. Swan, PhD¹, Robert Friis, PhD², Mercedes Guilliam², and Keith Turner, PhD¹. (1) Applied Gerontology, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 310919, Denton, TX 76203-0919, 940-565-3454, jswan@scs.unt.edu, (2) Health Science, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840

Physical activity is a recognized preventive measure for the aged, raising concerns about health disparities associated with differential physical activity levels among racial and ethnic groups. We examined differences among ethnic and racial groups (e.g., white, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, other Hispanic, African American, and other nonwhite) in participation in physical activity. The National Health Interview Survey collects data on three levels of physical activity: moderate, vigorous, and strengthening. To obtain sufficient statistical power, data were cumulated across the survey years 1999 through 2001. This procedure yielded 18,333 respondents aged 65 years or older. Whites were the contrast category in logistic and cumulative-logistic regression analyses. Control variables were age, gender, marital status, and education. Analyses focused on participation in exercise (participation versus non-participation) and frequency of exercise at one of the three levels -- when participation is controlled, other predictors show no independent effects on frequency of exercise. Regarding moderate exercise, Hispanics in general and African Americans were less likely than whites to participate; both Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans were less likely to participate than other Hispanics. With respect to vigorous and strengthening physical activities, African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Puerto Ricans (but not other Hispanics) were less likely than whites to participate. Other nonwhites had a higher likelihood of participation in all three levels than whites. Control factors, particularly education, showed major effects but did not explain ethnic-group differences in exercise. Exercise interventions need to account for ethnic and racial group membership when targeting programs appropriately.

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