Hispanic Health Care International
Volume 10, Issue 3, 2012, Pages 127-136

Being physically active: Perceptions of recent mexican immigrant women on the Arizona-Mexico border (Article)

Hartweg D.* , Isabelli-García C. , McEwen M. , Piper R.
  • a Illinois Wesleyan University, United States
  • b Illinois Wesleyan University, United States
  • c University of Arizona, United States
  • d Mariposa Community Health Center, Nogales, AZ, United States

Abstract

Mexican immigrant women report being physically active prior to arrival in the United States. However, with increased years of U.S. residency, this positive lifestyle behavior diminishes, increasing their risk of obesity and chronic disease. A qualitative descriptive design was used to elicit recent Mexican immigrant women's perceptions of "being physically active" and to describe how living in the United States has influenced their perceptions of being physically active. Three themes were inductively generated: (a) purposeful exercising, (b) being active, and (c) being active with purposeful exercising. Overall, being physically active was described within the context of daily living well below the recommended levels of intensity, duration, and frequency. These findings can be used to inform multilevel interventions delivered early in the immigration process to prevent sedentary behaviors. © 2012 Springer Publishing Company.

Author Keywords

Women's health Obesity/overweight Mexico/Mexicans Exercise/physical activity Qualitative analysis immigrants/migrants

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84871000205&doi=10.1891%2f1540-4153.10.3.127&partnerID=40&md5=f5ceef86b2d30cb70471ce320607ba7a
DOI: 10.1891/1540-4153.10.3.127
ISSN: 15404153
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English