Physical activity patterns of American Indian and Alaskan Native people living in Alaska and the Southwestern United States.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of self-reported physical activity (PA) and effects on health measures.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a cohort study.


METHODS
Education and Research Towards Health study participants from Alaska and the Southwestern United States enrolled from 2004 to 2007.


METHODS
Total of 10,372 American Indian and Alaskan Native people (AI/AN) of at least 18 years.


METHODS
Participants completed computer-assisted, self-administered questionnaires, and anthropometric and health measurements were taken of each participant.


METHODS
Analysis of variance, chi2 tests, and multiple linear regressions were used.


RESULTS
Almost 23% of participants reported less than 30 minutes per week of moderate or vigorous activities. Half (49%) reported no vigorous activities. Characteristics associated with more time spent performing vigorous activity were male gender, age less than 40 years, higher income and education levels, and living in a rural area. Almost 70% of Alaskan participants and 36% of Southwest participants engaged in wild food-harvesting activities. Participants with higher levels of activity had significantly better clinical characteristics (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, and waist circumference).


CONCLUSIONS
AI/AN people engage in many different physical activities, including traditional harvesting activities. Women had lower levels of PA than men, and participation in vigorous PA was associated with better clinical characteristics. These data can be used to guide health promotion efforts in AI/AN populations.
Redwood
Diana
D
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 4000 Ambassador Drive, C-DCHS Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA. dredwood@anmc.org
Schumacher
Mary C
MC
Lanier
Anne P
AP
Ferucci
Elizabeth D
ED
Asay
Elvin
E
Helzer
Laurie J
LJ
Tom-Orme
Lillian
L
Edwards
Sandra L
SL
Murtaugh
Maureen A
MA
Slattery
Martha L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult