A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Associated With Walking and Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Latino Adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND Ethnic/racial minorities often live in neighborhoods that are not conducive to physical activity (PA) participation. We examined perceived factors related to walking/PA among Spanish- and English-speaking older Latinos in a low-income, multi-ethnic neighborhood. METHODS Exploratory focus group study with Latinos stratified by preferred language and gender: English speaking women (n=7, M age=74.6); English speaking men (n=3, M age=69.3); Spanish speaking women (n=5, M age=66.4); Spanish speaking men (n=5, M age=74.0). Focus group audio files were transcribed, and qualitative research software was used to code and analyze documents. RESULTS At the individual-level, reasons for exercising (improved health) and positive health outcome expectancies (weight loss and decreased knee pain) were discussed. Neighborhood/environmental factors of safety (fear of crime), neighborhood changes (lack of jobs and decreased social networks), weather, and destination walking were discussed. DISCUSSION Individual and environmental factors influence physical activity of older, urban Latinos, and should be taken into consideration in health promotion efforts.

Neighbourhood Built Environment Influences on Physical Activity among Adults: A Systematized Review of Qualitative Evidence

“…The 36 studies included in this review were published between 1998 and 2015. Twelve were undertaken in the USA [ 14 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], six in Canada [ 13 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], two in the UK [ 38 , 39 ], eight in Australia [ 12 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], two in New-Zealand [ 47 , 48 ], and one each in Ireland [ 49 ], Brazil [ 50 ], Sweden [ 51 ], Belgium [ 52 ] and Iceland [ 53 ], with one study having recruited from both Canada and the USA [ 54 ] ( Appendix A ). Sample sizes varied from eight to 396 participants with four studies not specifying a sample size.…”

Exploring beliefs around physical activity among older adults in rural Canada

“…For example, in one recent qualitative study of older adults, Clancy, Balteskard, Perander, and Mahler (2015) concluded that in the experience of falls and falling, “participants’ stories reveals life courage and endurance and is more about getting up, staying up, and moving on than falling down.” (p. 9). Several studies have reported that older adults perceived adverse weather including ice, cold, snow as well as extreme heat as barriers to participating in physical activity (Chrisman et al, 2015; Marquez et al, 2014; Witcher et al, 2007). Also related to weather in rural communities, Chrisman et al (2015) found that loose gravel and muddy roads inhibited physical activity among adults in the rural Midwest USA.…”

Seasonal Variation of Physical Activity in Community-Living vs. Residential-Dwelling Older Adults

“…In both studies, participants indicated the importance of the social benefits of exercise and suggested that easy access to programming-either through programs offered where people live, or by providing transportation to activities and classes-would help facilitate increased PA participation (Belza et al, 2004;Mathews et al, 2010). In these and other studies (Chan & Ryan, 2009;Clemes, Hamilton, & Griffiths, 2011;Guerin, et al, 2008;Kimura, Kobayashi, Nakayama, & Kakihana, 2015;Marquez et al, 2014), researchers have found that barriers to PA participation included personal (health/safety concerns) and environmental (lack of access and poor weather) factors.…”