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.
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. kwolin@northwestern.edu
Kathleen Y
KY
Wolin
Graham
G
Colditz
Anne M
AM
Stoddard
Karen M
KM
Emmons
Glorian
G
Sorensen
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