Citation

Marquez DX, Aguiñaga S, Campa J, Pinsker EC, Bustamante EE, Hernandez R. J. Appl. Gerontol. 2014; 35(6): 664-677.

Affiliation

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0733464814533819

PMID

24832017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ethnic/racial minorities often live in neighborhoods that are not conducive to physical activity (PA) participation. We examined perceived factors related to walking/PA among Spanish- and English-speaking older Latinos in a low-income, multi-ethnic neighborhood.

METHOD: Exploratory focus group study was conducted with Latinos stratified by preferred language and gender: English-speaking women (n = 7, M age = 74.6); English-speaking men (n = 3, M age = 69.3); Spanish-speaking women (n = 5, M age = 66.4); Spanish-speaking men (n = 5, M age = 74.0). Focus group audio files were transcribed, and qualitative research software was used to code and analyze documents.

RESULTS: At the individual level, reasons for exercising (improved health) and positive health outcome expectancies (weight loss and decreased knee pain) were discussed. Neighborhood/environmental factors of safety (fear of crime), neighborhood changes (lack of jobs and decreased social networks), weather, and destination walking were discussed.

DISCUSSION: Individual and environmental factors influence PA of older, urban Latinos, and should be taken into consideration in health promotion efforts.

Language: en