Exploring socioenvironmental factors associated with physical activity among Latinos in Los Angeles County

Obesity among the pediatric population is increasing at alarming rates. Compared to other races and ethnic groups in Long Beach, California, Latinos of all ages now represent 68.2% of the cities' overweight and obese (Healthy Cities, 2010). Among U.S. Hispanic boys and girls born in 2000, 45.4% and 52.5% have a lifetime risk of developing diabetes, respectively, compared to 26.7% and 31.2% among their white male and female counterparts (CDC, 2011). Scant culturally-relevant research has been conducted to evaluate structural-environmental barriers that inhibit physical activity and promote sedentarism among Latinos, particularly children. As part of the formative data collection phase of the Sanos y Fuertes Project, separate family-based focus groups were conducted with Latinos in the greater Long Beach area. Six focus groups were held with 69 Latino adult family members (grandparents, parents, lactating mothers, etc…) who also completed demographic and behavioral surveys regarding exercise and nutrition practices. This study utilized a mixed methods approach combining quantitative demographic and survey data with qualitative content analyses of verbatim focus group transcripts. The purpose of the analyses was to illuminate specific barriers and facilitators to physical activity such as family living conditions, health care access, and obstacles to exercise. This presentation informs the findings of socioenvironmental determinants that impact physical activity among Latino families and provides recommendations for culturally and linguistically-relevant health and human services program development. These action steps will serve to better address and meet the health and physical activity needs of at-risk Latino children and their families.