title: Self-Reported Physical Activity Among American Indian Adults From Two Diverse Regions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical activity may be a protective factor against the disproportionate rates of chronic diseases faced by American Indians. Nevertheless, few studies report any cultural adoptions made to capture physical activity behaviors among this hard-to-reach population. Existing studies reporting the prevalence of physical activity among American Indians are often aggregated and tend to obscure regional, local, and tribal-level variations. This study examines the prevalence of physical activity and inactivity levels, along with associated factors, among rural dwelling American Indian adults from 2 distinct regions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline self-reported data were collected using a culturally modified version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form during the Obesity Research Prevention and Evaluation of Intervention Effectiveness in Native North Americans trial (OPREVENT) among rural American Indian adults (aged 18-75 years) from 5 tribal communities in Michigan and New Mexico.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants were classified as moderately physically active (43.5%), and the majority reported access to physical activity facilities (83.5%). Michigan participants reported engaging in more moderate and total physical activity than those in New Mexico (P < .001) and reported spending less time sitting (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences in physical activity among the American Indian communities may be due to regional variations in occupations, climate, and tribal and community support and infrastructure. The unexpected high level of activity evokes uncertainty in the accuracy and appropriateness of the data collection instrument. Research is needed to understand culturally appropriate approaches to measure physical activity and inactivity among rural American Indians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
authors.forename: Erica Blue
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Office of Nutrition Research, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fleischhacker
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Center for Human Nutrition, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Marla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pardilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Treuth
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Public Health, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York.
authors.forename: Preety
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gadhoke
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Center for Human Nutrition, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gittelsohn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000208:ethnology; D003469:Culture; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: American Indian; epidemiology; health disparities; physical activity; social determinants of health