Physical Activity Among Cambodian Americans: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Introduction Available data indicate that Asian Americans as a group have lower levels of physical activity than non-Latino whites. However, few studies have focused on physical activity among Asian American sub-groups. Our objectives were to describe levels of physical activity, as well as individual and environmental correlates of physical activity among Cambodian Americans. Methods We conducted a telephone survey of Cambodians living in three geographic areas (Central California, Northern California, and the Pacific Northwest) during 2010. Physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version. Survey items addressed demographic characteristics, knowledge about the health benefits of physical activity, social norms and supports with respect to physical activity, the availability of neighbourhood recreational facilities, and neighbourhood characteristics. Results Our study group included 222 individuals. Only 12% of the study group reported low levels of physical activity, 40% reported moderate levels, and 48% reported high levels. Physical activity was strongly associated with the availability of neighborhood recreational facilities such as parks, but not with neighborhood characteristics such as heavy traffic. Discussion Our results suggest that a majority of Cambodian Americans are adherent to current physical activity guidelines. Neighborhood recreational facilities that provide opportunities for leisure-time physical activity are associated with higher levels of physical activity in Cambodian communities. Future research should assess the reliability and validity of the IPAQ in a Cambodian American study group.

Physical Activity and Cancer Prevention: Awareness and Meeting the Recommendations among Adult Saudis

“…Educational status found to be significantly influence the responses of our sample where the knowledge scores were higher among those with college or higher educational status, this is consistent with similar studies where higher educational status was coupled with better awareness about the role of PA in cancer prevention (Taylor et al, 2012) and colon cancer in specific (Coups et al, 2008), while it did not differ regarding the recommendations guidelines (Bennet et al, 2008;Coups et al, 2008). Another important finding was the significant relationship between the amount of LTPA and awareness; those with higher level of LTPA were more knowledgeable about the role of PA and cancer prevention, Chen and colleagues have reported that LTPA is positively associated with greater knowledge about the health benefits of exercise in Taiwan (Chen et al, 2011), while Taylor et al (2012) found that individuals with low level of PA were less aware about the role of PA in chronic disease prevention including cancer (Taylor et al, 2012). In this study cancer seeking information behavior was not associated with either the level of PA nor the knowledge score, which contradicting the report of similar study, where cancer seeking behavior was positively associated with the role of PA in colon cancer prevention (Coups et al, 2008).…”

“…In this study the knowledge levels were significantly more among those aged 20 to <30 years and less among those aged ≥50 years, this finding is conflicting what was reported by Coups et al, where they found that those aged 40 to 49 years were more knowledgeable about the role of PA in colon cancer prevention (Coups et al, 2008). Educational status found to be significantly influence the responses of our sample where the knowledge scores were higher among those with college or higher educational status, this is consistent with similar studies where higher educational status was coupled with better awareness about the role of PA in cancer prevention (Taylor et al, 2012) and colon cancer in specific (Coups et al, 2008), while it did not differ regarding the recommendations guidelines (Bennet et al, 2008;Coups et al, 2008). Another important finding was the significant relationship between the amount of LTPA and awareness; those with higher level of LTPA were more knowledgeable about the role of PA and cancer prevention, Chen and colleagues have reported that LTPA is positively associated with greater knowledge about the health benefits of exercise in Taiwan (Chen et al, 2011), while Taylor et al (2012) found that individuals with low level of PA were less aware about the role of PA in chronic disease prevention including cancer (Taylor et al, 2012).…”

“…The responses of our population about the role of PA in preventing hypertension, lowering blood cholesterol and preventing heart diseases were comparable to those found elsewhere in many developed nations. Taylor et al (2012) reported that among U.S Asians, three quarters of their sample knew that PA can prevent high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes but only 56% and 47% knew that PA can prevent colon and breast cancer respectively (Taylor et al, 2012). Another survey among Americans reported that 62% knew that PA can decrease the likelihood of getting certain types of cancers (OA et al, 2010).…”

“…On the other hand, some studies have found a significant awareness about the women's awareness regarding the recommended level of PA required (Bennet et al, 2008) while others found no difference in indicating the role of PA in cancer prevention (Coups et al, 2008;Taylor et al, 2012). In this study the knowledge levels were significantly more among those aged 20 to <30 years and less among those aged ≥50 years, this finding is conflicting what was reported by Coups et al, where they found that those aged 40 to 49 years were more knowledgeable about the role of PA in colon cancer prevention (Coups et al, 2008).…”

The Association between Walking and Perceived Environment in Chinese Community Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The distribution of physical activity differed significantly by gender, age, and employment status. This is consistent with other studies performed in China [5], [6], but inconsistent with many other countries [28]. Interestingly, the distribution of physical activity level reported by Cambodian Americans was 12% low, 40% moderate, and 48% high levels, which is similar to our study [29].…”