According to national surveillance studies, participation in leisure-time physical activity remains low among minority women. Furthermore, the correlates of such activity in this group are not well understood. To better understand the environmental, policy, and sociocultural correlates of physical activity among Latina immigrants, six focus groups were conducted in rural North Carolina. Among the 49 participants, median age was 32 years and median education 11 years. Participants were first generation immigrants from Mexico (n = 43), El Salvador (n = 3), Colombia (n = 1), the Dominican Republic (n = 1), and Honduras (n = 1). Environmental and policy barriers to activity were identified, including transportation, lack of facilities, cost, and safety. Sociocultural correlates of activity included gender roles for activity, importance of support from the family and husband, child care issues tied to having few relatives who lived close by, language, and isolation in the community. The women suggested changes and programs that could promote physical activity through multiple channels, especially involving the family. This information can be used to develop culturally appropriate interventions to increase physical activity among Latinas. © 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

(MeSH terms): Emigration and immigration Women Exercise Leisure activities focus groups Hispanic Americans

physical activity rural area immigrant leisure health promotion cost exercise Cardiovascular Diseases correlation analysis human social isolation middle aged North Carolina ethnic group social aspect policy Colombia rural health language Mexico Hispanic Americans Dominican Republic marriage United States Humans cardiovascular disease family life Minority Groups environmental factor female Honduras safety El Salvador cultural factor Article women's health sex role adult Social Environment traffic and transport Leisure Activities normal human Emigration and Immigration Health Policy relative attitude to health Focus Groups child care Culture time health survey