Graduation Date

Spring 5-7-2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Programs

Nursing

First Advisor

Bunny J. Pozehl

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine physical activity levels and specific intrapersonal, interpersonal and community physical environment factors that influence physical activity in Midwestern rural Hispanic or Latino adults. Instruments used in the study included: Self-Efficacy for Exercise Behaviors Survey, Social Support for Exercise Survey, Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH), and Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS). Physical activity was measured by 7-Day Physical Activity Recall and ActiGraph® accelerometer data. In the study of 54 participants, it was found that there was a very low level of physical activity. For example, 97% of the time was spent in either sedentary or light physical activity according to the ActiGraph®data. These findings were similar to the results from the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire. This research also showed that men were more active than women and those performing manual labor work were highly active. Results from a linear regression model showed percent moderate and vigorous physical activity (%MVPA, the ActiGraph® measure), the best model (R = .529) used the predictors of gender (p = .009), land use mix – access (NEWS) (p = .006), and street connectivity (NEWS) (p = .006). Results from a linear regression model showed Individual daily Energy Expenditure (IEE, the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall measure), the best model (R = .714) used the predictors of gender (p = .028), labor (p = .000), and pedestrian traffic safety (NEWS) (p = .040). Continued research based on an ecological model is necessary to determine more specifically what persuades or affixes physical activity behavior in rural Hispanic or Latino adults.

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