Levels and correlates of exercise in a border Mexican American population

Objective: To examine personal and environmental correlates of exercise among Mexican Americans living in the Texas-Mexico border region. Methods: The study was based on data from a community health assessment conducted in 2 counties at the Texas-Mexico border region. A random-digit-dialed community survey was used in this cross-sectional study (n=933). Results: A majority of border Mexican Americans (52%) did not exercise at all. Gender, age, and self-rated health were statistically significant correlates to exercise. Conclusions: Understanding personal and environmental factors that influence physical activity and exercise in this minority population is critical for the development of culturally sensitive health interventions.