Exercise, perceived stress and environmental stressors in an ethnically diverse community

This paper is based on data from a large, cross-sectional study on stress and the environment. We examined the relationship between moderate exercise and perceived stress, environmental stressors, and stress-buffering resources in a randomized sample of 2,756 (aged 25-64 yrs) ethnically diverse individuals living near a petrochemical plant. Using a standardized questionnaire, participants were interviewed at home in their language preference, English or Spanish. Results demonstrated that prevalence of moderate exercise declined with age, with the largest decrease in moderate exercise after age 45 for all ethnic groups. Prevalence of moderate exercise was higher among men and Non-Hispanic whites followed by Mexican Americans and African Americans. Perception of environmental stress varies across gender and ethnicity and moderate exercisers were more likely to report less stress and few environmental stressors. These results suggest a need for promoting initiation and maintenance of moderate exercise among aging persons, especially among women and minority groups. This study was supported by the UTMB Center for Population Health and Health Disparities - 5P50CA105631.