• Jennifer L Gay and David M Buchner.
• Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. Electronic address: jlgay@uga.edu.
• Prev Med. 2014 Jun 1; 63: 58-62.

ObjectivesWe examined whether Mexican American adults report occupations that involve higher levels of objectively assessed physical activity compared with Non-Hispanic White and Black adults, and if the differences were independent of income.MethodsData from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; N=2707) were analyzed in 2012-2013. An existing classification scheme was used to classify self-reported occupation as sedentary, low-active, or moderately active. From NHANES accelerometer data, proportion of wear time was stratified by intensity.ResultsA dose-response relationship was found such that workers in more active occupations spent more time in light-intensity activity and less time engaged in sedentary activities. The findings did not suggest a compensation effect for moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. Mexican American adults engaged in more activity than Non-Hispanic Black or White adults for incomes between $10,000 and $64,999.ConclusionsMexican American adults may have higher total physical activity levels in NHANES because of occupational activity, particularly among lower income households. To the extent that light-intensity activity may provide health benefits, occupational activity may partly explain the Hispanic paradox.Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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