Presenting Author:
Principal Investigator:
Department:
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Keywords:
Latino, Hispanic, Social Support, Weight, Physical Activity, Cancer prevention, Community Interventions
Location:
Third Floor, Feinberg Pavilion, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
PH58 - Public Health & Social Sciences
Social Support for Exercise among Latino Men
Social support is an important factor in increasing positive health outcomes and behaviors as it relates to obesity and cancer. However, little research has been conducted examining the relationship between social support for exercise and weight and physical activity status among Latino men. The aims of this study are to examine the relationship between social support for exercise from family and friends and weight statuses among Puerto Rican and Mexican men, as well as the relationship between social support for exercise from family and friends and various physical activity statuses, frequency and duration. We also examined whether the direction of the relationship between weight status and social support for exercise differs within Latino ethnic groups and whether the direction of the relationship between physical activity status and social support for exercise differs within Latino groups. Participants (n=203) completed anthropometric measures and a health and culture interview which included questions about social support and physical activity as part of an NIH study (R21CA143636). Results revealed that Family Social Support for exercise predicted overweight b= 1.14, p< 0.01 and obese b= 0.83, p < 0.05 statuses. Friend Social Support for exercise was not a significant predictor of weight status. Family and Friend Social Support for exercise were not significant predictors of whether an individual participated in physical activity, the number of times per week they were physically active, nor the duration of physical activity. The direction between weight status and Family and Friend Social Support for exercise did not differ between ethnic groups. The direction between physical activity status and Family and Friend Social Support for exercise did not differ between ethnic groups. This study’s implications include an increased knowledge of the role of family social support in weight status and provides important information about factors to include during Latino exercise interventions.
