Physical activity recommendations and cardiovascular disease risk factors in young Hispanic women

Despite the benefits associated with regular physical activity, there is little epidemiological evidence to support positive health outcomes when meeting physical activity guidelines in high-risk ethnic groups, such as Hispanic women. We compared cardiovascular disease risk factors between young Hispanic women who meet and those who do not meet current physical activity guidelines. Height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured in 60 Hispanic women aged 20-39 years. Lipids, C-reactive protein, insulin, and glucose were assessed. Body composition and cardiovascular fitness were assessed by BodPod and maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂(max)) respectively. Participants wore an accelerometer and average minutes (assessed in 10-min bouts) spent in light, moderate, and hard daily activity for weekdays and weekends was determined. Seventy percent of participants did not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, whereas 30% did so. Following current physical activity guidelines was associated with significantly lower mean cholesterol (mean ± s: 4.2 ± 0.8 vs. 4.7 ± 0.9 mmol · l⁻¹) and triglycerides (0.7 ± 0.3 vs. 1.1 ± 0.6 mmol · l⁻¹), and higher fat-free mass (43.3 ± 3.8 vs. 40.2 ± 5.1 kg) and relative (40.4 ± 7.6 vs. 35.6 ± 7.0 ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹) and absolute (2.5 ± 0.3 vs. 2.1 ± 0.4 litres · min⁻¹) VO₂(max) (P < 0.05). These findings suggest an improved health status in women who meet versus those who did not meet current physical activity guidelines.