Weight Status, Physical Activity Levels, Perceived Neighborhood Health, and Healthy Community Factors Among Latinos

Authors

  • Andrew G. Funk
  • Liliana Rojas-Guyler
  • Ashley L. Merianos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2016.146

Keywords:

Latino, hispanic, neighborhood factors, obesity, physical activity

Abstract

Background: Research indicates that a better understanding of the relationship between the health status of communities and weight status and physical activity level among Latinos would be beneficial in developing culturally appropriate health education programs for this community. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted based on the 2013 Greater Cincinnati Community Health Status Survey (CHSS). A total of 251 randomly sampled Latino participants were interviewed by telephone. Results: Results indicated that the majority (63%) of Latino participants reported unhealthy weight status and nearly one-third self-reported no physical activity within the past month. 29.2% rated the healthiness of the region as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ and 16.1% rated their own living facilities as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’. Over 30% of participants reported a lack of walkable communities and between 18% and 24% reported not feeling secure, or as if they could not obtain help or depend on their communities. Non-overweight and non-obese Latino participants reported healthier community factors in comparison to their counterparts. Discussion: Study findings should be considered when creating health education programs that address these health indicators in the local Latino community.

Author Biographies

Andrew G. Funk

Andrew G. Funk, MS, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH

Liliana Rojas-Guyler

Liliana Rojas-Guyler, PhD, CHES, Associate Professor, Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH 45221-0068

Ashley L. Merianos

Ashley L. Merianos, PhD, CHES, Assistant Professor Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH

Published

2020-11-12

How to Cite

Funk, A., Rojas-Guyler, L., & Merianos, A. (2020). Weight Status, Physical Activity Levels, Perceived Neighborhood Health, and Healthy Community Factors Among Latinos . American Journal of Health Studies, 31(3). https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2016.146