Evaluation of a culturally appropriate intervention to increase physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a culturally appropriate intervention to increase activity in overweight Mexican American women. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to a physical activity program or wait-list control. RESULTS: Treated participants were not more active than controls at 6 or 12 months. In addition, we found no significant differences in the proportion of individuals who met an objective criterion for physical activity from baseline to 6 months in the treatment or control groups. CONCLUSION: The intervention did not increase physical activity in this population. Differences in baseline activity and contamination of the control group may partially account for the outcome.