Physical activity and length of residence in the U.S

Physical activity, and its differences by race and ethnicity, is a major concern in elders. A related concern is how length of U.S. residence may influence physical activity. Data derive from the National Health Interview Surveys for 1999 through 2001, yielding 96,501 subjects, weighted to the adult population. The physical-activity measure was participation at least five times per week in moderate, vigorous or strengthening activities. Race/ethnicity categories were: Mexican-American, Puerto Rican, Other Hispanic, African-American, Other Nonwhite, and Whites (the contrast). Those who were foreign born resident in the U.S. at least 10 years and those resident in the U.S. less than ten years were contrasted to U.S.-born respondents. Race/ethnicity and length-of-residence were estimated both among aged and younger adults. There was a strong secular decline in activity with age; a strong positive effect of being aged 65 years or over; a tendency for lower physical activity in Hispanic groups and among African Americans in both age groups; but among other nonwhites lower activity in the young but greater activity in the old. Length-of-residence also showed different effects by age group: younger adults more active with longer residence in the U.S., but with different, possibly opposite, effects among the aged. Programs promoting physical activity should consider whether their targets were born in, and how long they have resided in, the U.S.