Disparities in Physical Activity Levels Among the Hispanic/Latino Community
Location
SU-216
Department
Physical Education, Exercise Science, and Recreation
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) leads to better sleep, feeling healthier, and the ability to perform daily tasks (Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2018). According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, individuals should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. An equivalent combination of the two is also acceptable. The guidelines state, “Adults who are physically active are less likely to develop many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer than are adults who are inactive” (Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2018, p. 56). Hispanics have the highest percentage of inactivity in the U.S. compared to other ethnic/racial groups (CDC, 2022). Only 65.4% of Hispanic/Latinos are meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines (Arredondo et al., 2016). Lack of PA raises concerns for Hispanic/Latino communities due to sedentary lifestyles and cardio metabolic diseases (Qi et al., 2015). Among the obstacles leading to physical inactivity, Hispanics/Latinos do not have as much leisure time as their counterparts due to a working lifestyle (Arrendo et al., 2016). There are notable differences between Hispanic/Latinos’ levels of PA in rural communities when compared to urban communities. Domagalla et al. (2021) explained, In 2017, urban adults met the combined aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines 25.3% of the time. However, rural adults only met the same guidelines 19.4% of the time. Additionally, rural adults are proportionately more inactive than urban adults (62.8% versus 59.3%) (p. 1). Reasons for disparities between rural and urban adults include rural adults spending more time working in comparison to urban areas, as well as lack of opportunity to be physically active in rural areas (Domagalla et al., 2021). As future health and physical educators it is important to implement strategies to promote PA levels of Hispanics/Latinos living in rural areas and other communities that lack access to PA. Addressing these barriers can increase PA levels of rural Hispanic/Latino families to provide healthier lifestyles. The ability to understand the communities our students are live, will help build inclusive and safe environments in all of our classrooms.
Faculty Sponsor
Kimberly Maljak, Northeastern Illinois University
Disparities in Physical Activity Levels Among the Hispanic/Latino Community
SU-216
Physical activity (PA) leads to better sleep, feeling healthier, and the ability to perform daily tasks (Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2018). According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, individuals should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. An equivalent combination of the two is also acceptable. The guidelines state, “Adults who are physically active are less likely to develop many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer than are adults who are inactive” (Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2018, p. 56). Hispanics have the highest percentage of inactivity in the U.S. compared to other ethnic/racial groups (CDC, 2022). Only 65.4% of Hispanic/Latinos are meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines (Arredondo et al., 2016). Lack of PA raises concerns for Hispanic/Latino communities due to sedentary lifestyles and cardio metabolic diseases (Qi et al., 2015). Among the obstacles leading to physical inactivity, Hispanics/Latinos do not have as much leisure time as their counterparts due to a working lifestyle (Arrendo et al., 2016). There are notable differences between Hispanic/Latinos’ levels of PA in rural communities when compared to urban communities. Domagalla et al. (2021) explained, In 2017, urban adults met the combined aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines 25.3% of the time. However, rural adults only met the same guidelines 19.4% of the time. Additionally, rural adults are proportionately more inactive than urban adults (62.8% versus 59.3%) (p. 1). Reasons for disparities between rural and urban adults include rural adults spending more time working in comparison to urban areas, as well as lack of opportunity to be physically active in rural areas (Domagalla et al., 2021). As future health and physical educators it is important to implement strategies to promote PA levels of Hispanics/Latinos living in rural areas and other communities that lack access to PA. Addressing these barriers can increase PA levels of rural Hispanic/Latino families to provide healthier lifestyles. The ability to understand the communities our students are live, will help build inclusive and safe environments in all of our classrooms.