Acculturation and leisure-time physical inactivity in Mexican American adults: results from NHANES III, 1988-1994.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the relationship between acculturation and leisure-time physical inactivity among Mexican American adults.


METHODS
Using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we estimated the prevalence of physical inactivity according to place of birth and language used at home.


RESULTS
Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans had a higher prevalence of physical inactivity during leisure time than those who spoke mostly English, independent of place of birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Acculturation seems to be positively associated with participation in leisure-time physical activity.
Crespo
C J
CJ
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, 270 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214-3000, USA. ccrespo@buffalo.edu
Smit
E
E
Carter-Pokras
O
O
Andersen
R
R
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology