title: Gender differences in self-report physical activity and park and recreation facility use among Latinos in Wake County, North Carolina.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lack of physical activity (PA) may be a cause of Latinos' health problems. Latinas may be especially at risk, and public parks and recreation services may be a logical place to address PA deficiencies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of our study were to investigate Latino gender differences related to (1) self-reported work/household and leisure-time PA, (2) perceptions about PA and parks/recreation services, (3) parks/recreation services behaviors, (4) and preferences for activities/programming.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional survey completed by 457 Latinos.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant gender differences were found for work/household PA but not for leisure-time PA. Use of parks and recreation services were similar between genders, but Latinos stayed significantly longer per visit. Latinos and Latinas significantly differed on park activities and preferences for recreational services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though parks/recreation services are viewed as viable options for Latinos' PA, the study identified gender differences that inform health promotion interventions to be more effective in targeting Latinos.
authors: Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, Box 8004, 3033B Biltmore Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-8004, USA. jmcasper@ncsu.edu
authors: Jonathan M
authors: JM
authors: Casper
authors: Michelle Gacio
authors: MG
authors: Harrolle
authors: Katharine
authors: K
authors: Kelley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009657:North Carolina; D011998:Recreation; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D012727:Sex Characteristics