Exercise Intervention at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Physical inactivity is a major contributing factor to prevalence of obesity and diabetes along the Texas-Mexico Border. Walking has been identified as a popular activity, but appropriate distances are seldom attained. This investigation was performed to evaluate self-monitored pedometer use, stage of change movement, and psychosocial mediators using walking as the physical activity. Seventy students enrolled in university kinesiology activity classes (age 22.53 [+ or -] 4.5, percent M/F 8/92) volunteered to wear pedometers for nine weeks and record weekly step averages. Weekly step averages were compared with an ANOVA and psychometric variables were analyzed with MANOVA. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention survey packets containing scales measuring exercise behavior change, barriers to exercise, self-efficacy and outcome expectations. The current sample achieved the threshold of 10,000 steps seven out of the eight weeks; nonetheless, only two weekly step count averages increased significantly above baseline. Stages of exercise behavior change and self-efficacy improved significantly, but no changes were observed in barriers and outcome expectations for exercise. Monitoring and self-reporting step counts in a university setting motivates Hispanic students to reach the 10,000 step count, but does not significantly improve outcome expectations and barriers to exercise. ********** Nonwhite minorities have the greatest risk for morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, which account for almost 70% of mortality in the United States (Health, United States, 2003). The Hispanic population, the largest minority group in the United States, has a higher incidence of diabetes and is 1.5 times more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic whites (Miller, 2003). The prevalence of diabetes among Texas Hispanics increased from eight percent in 2006 to more than 10 % in 2007 (Texas Diabetes Council, 2009). The prevalence of diabetes among Hispanics in Texas is estimated at 12.3%. Diabetes ranks sixth in causes of death in Texas, despite the belief that it is under-reported as a cause of death; southern Texas' diabetes mortality rate is higher than the state rate. Diabetes is among diseases that are directly linked to physical inactivity, low levels of physical fitness and obesity. (Richardson, Kriska, Lantz & Hayward, 2004). These risk factors can begin early in life and, if continued into adulthood, can compromise a person's health status. (Fulton, Garg, Galuska, Rattay & Caspersen, 2004). Regular physical activity has been shown to attenuate the health risks associated with adult obesity and decrease its associated morbidity and mortality (Blair & Brodney, 1999), yet reports estimate that more than 60% of people in the United States do not achieve the recommended amount of regular physical activity and 25% are not active at all (Surgeon General, 2000). Recent census figures and population reports show that the Latino population, already the nation's largest minority group, will triple in size and will account for most of the nation's population growth from 2005 through 2050. Latinos are the most physically inactive racial/ethnic group in the United States despite their increases in leisure time physical activity in the past decade (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005; Macera, Ham, Yore, Jones, Ainsworth & Kimsey et al., 2005). College students are an important subgroup of the population where the continued development of health behaviors can take place. Many college students are not physically active on a regular basis despite the availability of opportunities. The 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey indicated that 42.2% of undergraduate college students do not participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity (Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). Reported rates of vigorous physical activity sufficient for cardiovascular benefits are comparable for Hispanics and Whites at 61% and 68%, respectively in grades 9-12, but by age 20, both male and female Hispanics report higher levels of physical inactivity than their White counterparts (Crespo, Smit, Anderson, Carter-Pokras, & Ainsworth, 2000). …