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Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Characteristics in Overweight Latina Women

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Abstract

This community-based study examined physical activity (PA) in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors among 223 adult, immigrant Latina women who were overweight or obese. Participants were predominantly of Mexican descent, married and low-income. Data were obtained through accelerometer readings and clinical measures (e.g., BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar). Findings showed that many women were active (mean step count = 8,575 ± 3,191); 27.6 % achieved 10,000 steps per day, and only 11 % were sedentary. They engaged in short bouts of moderate PA rather than long-sustained moderate-to-vigorous activity. Three or more MetS traits were present in 45.3 % of the women, raising concerns about risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. More active women had lower BMI, weight, waist circumference, and triglycerides levels. Results point to the importance of targeting maintenance of PA in active women and intervening with culturally tailored programs to promote healthier behavior in those who are sedentary or somewhat active.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported with funds from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01 HL086931) and is part of a registered clinical trial (NCT01333241). We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Antronette Yancey, MD, MPH, James Sallis, Ph.D. and Christian Roberts, Ph.D. for their expert contributions on measurement of physical activity and Carmen Turner for her excellent editorial assistance with manuscript preparation. This study would not have been possible without the cooperation and contributions of the Latina women participants, community partners and research staff involved with the project.

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  1. School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 700 Tiverton Avenue, Factor Building 5-232, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6919, USA

    Deborah Koniak-Griffin, Mary-Lynn Brecht, Sumiko Takayanagi, Juan Villegas & Marylee Melendrez

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  1. Deborah Koniak-Griffin
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Koniak-Griffin, D., Brecht, ML., Takayanagi, S. et al. Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Characteristics in Overweight Latina Women. J Immigrant Minority Health 16, 856–864 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9782-z

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