Spirituality and Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Latino Men and Women in Massachusetts.

INTRODUCTION: To examine the relationships between spirituality and physical activity and sedentary behavior in a sample of Latino adults in Massachusetts. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the Lawrence Health and Well Being Study; a study that was conducted among patients at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) in Lawrence, Massachusetts. PARTICIPANTS: 602 Latino or Hispanic adults aged 21 to 85 years completed the study. RESULTS: There was a significant negative relationship between spirituality and sedentary behavior (ß= -.12, p = .004). Although not statistically significant, higher spirituality was associated with increased odds of engaging in physical activity. There were no significant associations between spirituality and physical activity among men or women. Men with greater spirituality were significantly less sedentary (ß = -.17, P = .005). There was no relationship between sedentary behavior and spirituality among women. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that individuals who are more spiritual are also less sedentary, and this association was stronger in men than women. Findings provide insight for developing future interventions to promote activity in this high-risk population, which has been greatly understudied. Future research endeavors should consider investigating the impact of spirituality-based messages to reduce sedentary behavior among Latinos.

Neighborhood environment correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior among Latino adults in Massachusetts.

BACKGROUND: U.S. Latinos experience high rates of cardio-metabolic diseases and have high rates of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior. Understanding the environmental factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviors among Latinos could inform future interventions. The purpose of this study is to explore the neighborhood environment correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in a sample of U.S. Latino adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 602 Latino adults in Lawrence, MA. Survey assessments of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and neighborhood environment were verbally administered. The neighborhood environment scale assessed violence, safety, aesthetic quality, walkability, availability of healthy foods, social cohesion, and activities with neighbors. RESULTS: After controlling forage, gender, education, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status, two variables were associated with the outcomes of interest. Living in more walkable neighborhoods was associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in adequate levels of physical activity (>150 min per week, as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)) (OR = 1.403, p = .018); and greater frequency of activities with neighbors was associated with greater sedentary behavior (ß = .072, p = .05). CONCLUSIONS: There were different neighborhood environment correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in this Latino community. Focusing on a greater understanding of the distinct social and physical environmental correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior may provide important insights for reducing CVD risk and health disparities among Latinos.

Factors influencing adoption of and adherence to indoor smoking bans among health disparity communities.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed current home smoking behaviors and secondhand smoke (SHS) levels among parents of children in low-income, racial/ethnic minority communities in Massachusetts. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional design to assess home smoking rules, smoking status, cigarettes smoked in the home, and barriers and benefits to attaining a smoke-free home among 138 caregivers (mean age=30.0 years; 92% women) of children aged 0 to 6 years, between April 2010 and September 2012. Indoor SHS was assessed using a nicotine dosimeter. RESULTS: Households with no ban reported a higher weekly mean number of cigarettes smoked in the home (114 cigarettes/week) than homes with partial (71 cigarettes/week) or complete (30 cigarettes/week) bans (P<.01). Smoking occurred outside more than inside homes with partial or complete bans. Air nicotine levels were positively associated with no household smoking ban, current smoking by the caregiver, and smoking indoors. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to reduce home SHS should focus on a "complete" home smoking ban and smoking cessation. SHS mitigation strategies such as smoking outside were associated with lower SHS among participants unable to maintain a complete ban, and might enhance the likelihood of longer term success while immediately reducing home SHS.

Perceptions of evidence-based programs among community-based organizations tackling health disparities: a qualitative study.

Dissemination of prevention-focused evidence-based programs (EBPs) from research to community settings may improve population health and reduce health disparities, but such flow has been limited. Academic-community partnerships using community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles may support increased dissemination of EBPs to community-based organizations (CBOs). This qualitative study examined the EBP-related perceptions and needs of CBOs targeting underserved populations. As part of PLANET MassCONECT, a CBPR study, we conducted six key informant interviews with community leaders and four focus groups with CBO staff members in Boston, Worcester and Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 2008. Working definitions of EBPs among CBO staff members varied greatly from typical definitions used by researchers or funders. Key barriers to using EBPs included: resource constraints, program adaptation challenges and conflicts with organizational culture. Important facilitators of EBP usage included: program supports for implementation and adaptation, collaborative technical assistance and perceived benefits of using established programs. This exploratory study highlights differences among key stakeholders regarding the role of evidence in program planning and delivery. An updated perspective should better incorporate CBO perspectives on evidence and place greater, and much needed, emphasis on the impact of context for EBP dissemination in community settings.

Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Latino Adults.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among primarily White samples, while studies among Latinos have shown mixed results. PURPOSE: To explore relationships between sedentary behavior and CVD risk factors among a sample of Latino adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 602 Latino adults. Surveys of sedentary behavior and physical activity were orally administered. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Medical record data for diabetes and dyslipidemia were obtained. RESULTS: Sedentary behavior was associated with BMI (ß = .164, p < .001) and waist circumference (ß = .162, p < .001). Sedentary behavior was not associated with blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The consequences of sedentary behavior may differ across groups. Evaluating the relationship between sedentary behavior and CVD risk is critical in identifying behaviors contributing to CVD.

Much Ventured, Much Gained: Community-Engaged Data Collection by Adolescents and Young Adults.

BACKGROUND: Community-engaged data collection offers an important opportunity to build community capacity to harness the power of data and create social change. OBJECTIVES: To share lessons learned from engaging 16 adolescents and young adults from a partner community to collect data for a public opinion survey as part of a broader community-based participatory research (CBPR) project. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of archival documents, process data, and an assessment of survey assistants' experiences. LESSONS LEARNED: High-quality data were collected from a hard-to-reach population. Survey assistants benefited from exposure to research and gained professional skills. Key challenges included conducting surveys in challenging environments and managing schedule constraints during the school year. The tremendous investment made by project partners was vital for success. CONCLUSIONS: Investments required to support engaged data collection were larger than anticipated, as were the rewards, prompting greater attention to the integration of adolescents and young adults in research efforts.