Assessment of Physical Activity in Latina Mothers in the WIC Population

Abstract

In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Latinos represented 12.6% of the total population in the United States. It is projected that by 2010 Latinos will account for 15.5% of the population (1,2). Latinos account for 32% of the population in Texas, and specifically in Corpus Christi, Latinos represent 54% of the population (3). The purpose of this study was to compare reported versus actual physical activity among limited resource Latina mothers. This study also aimed to explore the validity of the existing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall (PAR) physical activity assessment tools.

Fifty-five Latina mothers from a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic in Corpus Christi, Texas were recruited to participate in this study. Data were collected through a combined (BRFSS and PAR) physical activity questionnaire as well as through step counts using pedometers. BRFSS and PAR reported significantly different levels of moderate physical activity (p=0.0312) using Chi Square tests when appropriate. The response rate in PAR for all levels of activity intensity was higher than BRFSS. There were significant trends between the number of steps reported and BRFSS and PAR moderate physical activity. Further, the majority of subjects who averaged greater than 5,000 steps per day did not perceive themselves to be moderately active in either BRFSS or PAR. These findings question the validity of these physical activity assessment tools with this population.