Foreign-born elders and participation in physical activity

Physical activity, and its differences by race and ethnicity, is a major concern in elders, one that is intertwined with immigration status and length of U.S. residence. Data derive from the National Health Interview Surveys for 2006 through 2008, yielding 69,449 subjects, weighted to the average adult population in those years. The physical-activity measure was participation at least five times per week in moderate, vigorous or strengthening activities. Race/ethnicity categories were: Hispanic, African-American, Other Nonwhite, and Whites (the contrast). Those who were foreign born resident in the U.S. were contrasted to U.S.-born respondents, with further analysis considering length of residence in the U.S. In accordance with prior findings, 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 and among those born outside the U.S. However, Hispanic elders showed lower physical activity, African American elders higher activity, among the foreign born, while other aged showed much-higher activity among the foreign born. Among Hispanic elders, the U.S. born showed higher activity than other groups, while the foreign born showed lower activity. Overall, racial/ethnic differences in physical activity are complicated by immigrant status, so that targeting of physical activity interventions should account for such status as well as for race/ethnicity.