• GiardinaElsa-Grace VEGCenter for Women's Health, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. evg1@columbia.edu, Melissa Laudano, Emily Hurstak, Alan Saroff, Elaine Fleck, Robert Sciacca, Bernadette Boden-Albala, and Julia Cassetta.
• Center for Women's Health, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. evg1@columbia.edu
• J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2009 Feb 1; 18 (2): 187193187-93.

BackgroundInadequate participation in physical activity is a serious public health issue in the United States, with significant disparities among population groups. In particular, there is a scarcity of information about physical activity among Caribbean Hispanics, a group on the rise.MethodsOur goal was to accumulate data on physical activity among Caribbean Hispanic women living in New York and determine the relation between physical activity and age, marital status, education, income, primary language, and children in the household. To this end, a survey adapted from the National Health Interview Survey of the National Center for Health Statistics assessing type, frequency, and duration of physical activity was administered.ResultsThere were 318 self-identified Hispanic women who participated. Total activity time, mean 385 +/- 26 minutes, and education (r = 0.14, p < 0.01) were significantly related. Women who had attended some college had greater total activity time than those with some high school education (p = 0.046) or < 8th grade education (p = 0.022). Walking as a form of transportation was the most frequent pursuit, 285 +/- 21 minutes. Age (r = -0.34, p < 0.001) and education (r = 0.25, p < 0.001) correlated with nonwalking activity time (leisure time). Nonwalking activity times were greater in younger, that is, 18-29 years (p < 0.001) and college-educated women (p < 0.001). Physical activity recommendations were met by 11%; and 17% reported no physical activity.ConclusionsAmong Caribbean Hispanic women living in New York City, the current recommendations for physical activity are met by 11%, and physical activity and education are significantly related. Our observation that education is a critical factor related to physical activity suggests that programs to address the promotion of a physically active lifestyle are needed.

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