title: Barriers to physical activity in the Hispanic community.
abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze barriers to leisure time physical activity in the Hispanic population in the U.S. Many studies have been conducted regarding this topic, primarily based on the general U.S. population. Fewer studies have concentrated specifically on Hispanics, where low levels of leisure time physical activity are reported. Research has usually stressed individual factors as barriers to exercise. A review of the literature addressing the different obstacles to physical activity will be presented within the context of immigration, poverty, and place of residency. This paper will attempt to explain why Hispanics tend to be less physically active and to make public health recommendations in order to minimize identified barriers. Suggestions and recommendations for future research that may help the understanding of the structural barriers will be provided.
authors.affiliation: Center for Family Medicine, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, VC 12-217, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Silvia C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Amesty
mesh_terms: D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011203:Poverty; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States