Adherence to U.S. Physical Activity and Dietary Guidelines Among A Mexican American Cohort

Authors

Belinda M. Reininger, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public HealthFollow
Jing Wang, University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonFollow
Stanley Cron, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of NursingFollow
Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public HealthFollow

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine adherence to risk factors for chronic diseases among Mexican Americans residing along Texas / Mexico border.

Method: Data was derived from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC), a prospective cohort study of over 2600 Mexican American adults aged 18 years and older living in a large and poor city along the Texas / Mexico border. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results:The sample (67.06% female) has a mean age of 48.06 ± 15.60 years, 48.81% employed, 45.66% has less than high school education, 77.57% completed the survey in Spanish, and 31.65% has some type of public or private insurance. More than 85% of the sample were either overweight (25≤BMI

Conclusions: Preventive behaviors including regular moderate to vigorous physical activity and a diet rich with fruit and vegetables are uncommon among Mexican Americans. Younger age and lower BMI were associated with meeting preventive behavior guidelines along Texas / Mexico border Mexican Americans.

Recommended Citation

Reininger, Belinda M.; Wang, Jing; Cron, Stanley; and Fisher-Hoch, Susan P. (2012) "Adherence to U.S. Physical Activity and Dietary Guidelines Among A Mexican American Cohort," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 18.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol6/iss2/18