Acculturation and physical activity in a working class multiethnic population.
BACKGROUND
Determinants of physical activity in minority populations remain under-explored. Acculturation is one proposed mechanism for the disparities that exist between racial and ethnic groups in health outcomes.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study evaluated the relation of language acculturation and generation in the US since migration with leisure-time and occupational activity. A low-income, multiethnic urban population was recruited from Massachusetts small businesses (SB) (n=1,725) and health centers (HC) (n=2,205). Baseline data were collected between May 2000 and February 2002.


RESULTS
Individuals with low acculturation reported leisure-time activity 3-5 MET hours/week lower than those who were highly acculturated (P<0.05). Generation predicted leisure-time activity only in SB participants. In the HC, least acculturated participants reported occupational activity 10-12 MET hours/week higher than highly acculturated participants. In SB men, acculturation was inversely associated with occupational activity; in SB women, language acculturation was positively associated with occupational activity. Generation was not predictive of occupational activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Language acculturation and generation were positively associated with leisure-time activity. Language acculturation is also associated with occupational activity. Acculturation is important to consider when designing public health interventions.
Wolin
Kathleen Y
KY
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. kwolin@northwestern.edu
Colditz
Graham
G
Stoddard
Anne M
AM
Emmons
Karen M
KM
Sorensen
Glorian
G
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D003132:Commerce; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population