An assessment of the move your way program among hispanic adults in Las Vegas, Nevada

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is important because of its associated health benefits. However, many Americans remain inactive. The 2018 guidelines recognize that PA bouts of less than 10 min are beneficial. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion created the Move Your Way® (MYW) campaign to provide PA resources for communities and healthcare providers. This study aims to describe the reach of the MYW campaign, and assess whether having seen, heard, or read (SHR) about MYW, or having seen the MYW logo, was associated with PA knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior among Hispanics residing in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

METHODS

Hispanics, aged 18-74, were surveyed at community events (n = 481) or via an online survey (n = 123). Respondents were asked if they had SHR of MYW, were aware of 2018 PA recommendations, and to report their personal PA behavior, PA knowledge, PA intentions, and demographics.

RESULTS

Respondents (71% female) completed a 38-42-item survey. Approximately (12.4%) had SHR of the MYW campaign and 16.1% had seen the MYW logo. Only 3.4% and 15% identified, "150 minutes per week" and "75 minutes per week" as the 2018 guidelines for moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA), respectively. Those who had SHR of the MYW campaign were more likely to correctly identify 150 min per week as the MPA guideline and had greater confidence in overcoming selected PA barriers. Regression analysis showed that those who had seen the MYW logo were more likely to meet strength guidelines, and that those who had SHR of MYW or saw the logo were more likely to know the recommended minutes of MPA.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of the MYW program positively associates with some PA behaviors and PA correlates.

An assessment of the relationship of physical activity, obesity, and chronic diseases/conditions between active/obese and sedentary/ normal weight American women in a national sample

OBJECTIVE

Obesity and physical inactivity are associated with increased rates of chronic diseases and conditions. However, the 'fit but fat' theory posits that cardiopulmonary fitness (or physical activity) can mitigate risks to health associated with obesity. The purpose of this study was to compare chronic diseases and conditions of highly active/obese women with inactive/normal weight women.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study of the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data.

METHODS

Weighted descriptive statistics were performed to describe the demographic characteristics of the two groups. We calculated odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios for chronic diseases and conditions comparing highly active/obese women with inactive/normal weight women.

RESULTS

Highly active/obese women were more likely to report risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes) for coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) than inactive/normal weight women; however, they did not have increased rates of CVD, CHD, or heart attack and had decreased risk for stroke. Highly active/obese women had increased risk for asthma, arthritis, and depression, but not for cancer, kidney disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Highly active/obese women appear to be staving off the actual development of CHD and CVD; however, further research is needed to understand the long-term health benefits of physical activity among obese women.