Mechanisms Linking Social Ties and Support to Physical and Mental Health

ing and Indexing: Please visit http://jhsb.sagepub.com and, under the “More about this journal” menu on the right-hand side, click on the Abstracting/Indexing link to view a full list of databases in which this journal is indexed. Copyright Permission: Permission requests to photocopy or otherwise reproduce material published in this journal should be submitted by accessing the article online on the journal’s Web site at http://jhsb.sagepub.com and selecting the “Request Permission” link. Permission may also be requested by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center via their Web site at http://www.copyright.com, or via e-mail at info@copyright.com. Advertising and Reprints: Current advertising rates and specifications may be obtained by contacting the advertising coordinator in the Thousand Oaks office at (805) 410-7772 or by sending an e-mail to advertising@sagepub.com. To order reprints, please e-mail reprint@sagepub.com. Acceptance of advertising in this journal in no way implies endorsement of the advertised product or service by SAGE, the American Sociological Association, or the journal editor(s). No endorsement is intended or implied. SAGE reserves the right to reject any advertising it deems as inappropriate for this journal. Change of Address for Non-Members: Six weeks’ advance notice must be given when notifying of change of address. Please send the old address label along with the new address to the SAGE office address above to ensure proper identification. Please specify the name of the journal. Printed on acid-free paper Journal of Health and Social Behavior 52(2) 197 –211 © American Sociological Association 2011 DOI: 10.1177/0022146510394862 http://jhsb.sagepub.com Epidemiological research on physical activity typically focuses on energy expenditure—as indicated by the intensity, frequency, or duration of physical activity—and finds that more active individuals have better health and lower risks of death (Blair et al. 1992). But a narrow focus on the link between energy expenditure and health overlooks the socially meaningful aspects of exercise. Individuals do not simply “expend calories,” but rather, they accomplish physical activity through meaningful behaviors that reflect their identities and social circumstances, such as participating in sports or athletic activities, walking or bicycling for transportation, or working in strenuous occupations. Our study focuses on the stratification of leisure time exercise, which can aid efforts to promote health in the United States. Education and race-ethnicity are important markers of social position in the United States that have established relationships with physical activity. Compared to whites and more educated individuals, blacks, Hispanics, and less educated individuals exercise less often (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2000). Less is known about education and racial-ethnic differences in participation in particular kinds of exercise, which is important for three reasons. First, insight into disparities in socially meaningful types of exercise can inform interventions that aim to increase physical activity and improve health outcomes. Evidence of racial-ethnic and educational differences in types of exercise would suggest the importance of tailoring interventions to particular subpopulations. Second, types of exercise may vary in their ability to improve strength, control weight, or increase cardiovascular fitness. 1University of Houston 2University of Colorado, Denver Corresponding Author: Jarron M. Saint Onge, University of Houston, Department of Sociology, 450 PGH, Houston, TX 77204–3012 E-mail: jmsaintonge@uh.edu Education and Racial-Ethnic Differences in Types of Exercise in the United States Jarron M. Saint Onge1 and Patrick M. Krueger2