title: Interactions between individual and perceived environmental factors on Latinas' physical activity.
abstract: Latinas have disproportionately low levels of physical activity (PA) and the ecological correlates of their PA remain unclear. This study aims to test interactions between individual and environmental factors on Latinas' PA.
  
  
  
  We analyzed baseline data from 436 Latinas participating in a PA randomized controlled trial in San Diego, CA [Fe en Acción/Faith in Action]. Measures included demographics, perceived environment, PA and anthropometrics. Mixed effects models examined interactions between individual and environmental factors on self-reported leisure-time and transportation, and accelerometer-assessed PA.
  
  
  
  Significant positive associations were found between neighborhood aesthetics and leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and between having destinations within walking distance from home and transportation PA (P < 0.05). We found significant interactions of income with aesthetics and sidewalk maintenance as well as between weight status and safety from crime. Favorable aesthetics was related to more leisure-time MVPA only among lower income women (odds ratio (OR) = 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 2.08); however, higher income women reporting better sidewalk maintenance reported more leisure-time MVPA (OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.15). Higher perceived safety from crime was positively related to transportation PA only among overweight/obese women.
  
  
  
  Subgroup differences should be considered when developing interventions targeting the neighborhood environment to promote Latinas' PA.
authors.affiliation: Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.|Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA 92123, USA.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Slymen
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sallis
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA 92123, USA.|College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.|Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
authors.forename: G X
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA 92123, USA.|Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA 92123, USA.|Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Arredondo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: accelerometry; built environment; exercise; obesity; transportation