Abstract
Introduction: Latino adults are less likely than their non-Latinos counterparts to meet physical activity recommendations. Perceptions (e.g., physical activity is important for health) and barriers to physical activity (e.g., lack of time, lack of energy) have been examined among Latinos; however, less is known about how perceptions and barriers differ from childhood to adulthood among Latinos. Further, identifying perceptions and barriers to physical activity in childhood and adulthood among foreign-born Latinos may provide further insight into how immigration to the US influences physical activity, given the unique experiences of immigrants. The objective of this study was to utilize a qualitative approach to identify perceptions and barriers to physical activity in childhood and adulthood among Latino adults. Methods: Twenty-six participants were recruited from Southeast Houston, TX between September–December 2018. Participants were individuals that self-identified as Latino and between the ages of 21-36. Five focus groups and one one-on-one individual interview were conducted in English and Spanish using semi-structured interview guides, audio recorded and transcribed by bilingual researchers. Atlas.ti 8 was used to facilitate data management. Thematic analysis employing inductive and deductive coding was used to code, categorize and summarize data into themes. Results: Data analysis yielded themes relevant to perceptions and barriers to physical activity in Latinos. Participants mentioned that the presence and lack of family support influenced their physical activity in both childhood and adulthood. Responsibilities particularly in adulthood (e.g., work, caregiving) were cited as barriers to engaging in physical activity. The participants also expressed that in adulthood they perceived physical activity important for their health. Participants also mentioned that they found physical activity enjoyable in both childhood and adulthood. Lastly, foreign-born participants cited a different way of life in the US, compared with life in their countries of origin, (e.g., living in walkable areas in their country of origin versus living in unfamiliar and less walkable areas in US, lack of social ties in US) as barriers to physical activity. Conclusions: Participants mentioned commonly reported perceptions and barriers to physical activity by Latinos. Additionally, foreign-born participants also expressed that changes in physical environment and social ties had an impact on their physical activity. This study helps fill the gap in research on understanding the perceptions and barriers to physical activity experienced by Latinos in the US. Study findings should be considered in the development of culturally-tailored interventions to promote physical activity among Latinos.
Citation Format: Rosenda Murillo, Mariana Vazquez, Isabel M Leal, Daphne C Hernandez, Lorraine R Reitzel. Perceptions and barriers to physical activity among Latino adults [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr D042.
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