• Kathleen Y Wolin, Graham Colditz, Anne M Stoddard, Karen M Emmons, and Glorian Sorensen.
• Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. kwolin@northwestern.edu
• Prev Med. 2006 Apr 1; 42 (4): 266272266-72.

BackgroundDeterminants of physical activity in minority populations remain under-explored. Acculturation is one proposed mechanism for the disparities that exist between racial and ethnic groups in health outcomes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study evaluated the relation of language acculturation and generation in the US since migration with leisure-time and occupational activity. A low-income, multiethnic urban population was recruited from Massachusetts small businesses (SB) (n=1,725) and health centers (HC) (n=2,205). Baseline data were collected between May 2000 and February 2002.ResultsIndividuals with low acculturation reported leisure-time activity 3-5 MET hours/week lower than those who were highly acculturated (P<0.05). Generation predicted leisure-time activity only in SB participants. In the HC, least acculturated participants reported occupational activity 10-12 MET hours/week higher than highly acculturated participants. In SB men, acculturation was inversely associated with occupational activity; in SB women, language acculturation was positively associated with occupational activity. Generation was not predictive of occupational activity.ConclusionLanguage acculturation and generation were positively associated with leisure-time activity. Language acculturation is also associated with occupational activity. Acculturation is important to consider when designing public health interventions.

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