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. Purpose 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.

Racial-Ethnic Variation in Park Use and Physical Activity in the City of Los Angeles

“…Previous studies among Latinos have stressed that particular supports such as physical activity programs that provide child care may be necessary to facilitate women engaging in park-based physical activity. 13,28 Supporting this idea is our finding that on average across our sample, having one or more child was associated with more frequent park use and a greater propensity to use the park for social interactions, but it was also associated with a lower propensity to be physically active in general and to use the park for exercise. Park programming that allows parents to drop off kids at sports or other activities, and then attend adult fitness classes that start a few minutes after and end a few minutes before children's classes end would be effective ways to address this issue.…”

Improving Physical Activity in Hispanics with Diabetes and their Families

“…() found gender differences in PA among Hispanics, with men being more active than women. Also, Casper, Harrolle, and Kelley () found significant gender differences in self‐reported PA among a sample of Latino men and women with men engaging in higher energy‐related PA at work or by playing sports, whereas women were more apt to report activities such as light‐intensity housework or walking and taking children to the playground. In our study, 63% of patients and 70% of family members were female, and this might contribute to the lack of significant changes in physical activity measured with pedometers.…”

Physical Activity and Acculturation Among U.S. Latinas of Childbearing Age

“…The NHIS questions only refer to LTPA, and fail to address work or household PA, which is problematic because many low-income immigrants may have little leisure time due to socioeconomic pressures (D'Alonzo & Sharma, 2010). Occupational and household PA are important venues for PA for Latinas; they should be included in future research, given that Latinas may be more physically active in these activities (He & Baker, 2005) and may feel they sufficiently participate in PA through these venues, even though objective data suggest this is not the case (Casper, Harrolle, & Kelley, 2013). In addition, with interview data it is important to recognize the potential for socially desirable responses that might lead to exaggerations concerning PA participation.…”