Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Published on: February 8, 2019
A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Associated With Walking and Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Latino
David X Marquez1, Susan Aguiñaga2, Jeanine Campa2
1University of Illinois at Chicago, USA marquezd@uic.edu.
Background:
Ethnic/racial minorities often live in neighborhoods that are not conducive to physical activity (PA) participation. We examined perceived factors related to walking/PA among Spanish- and English-speaking older Latinos in a low-income, multi-ethnic neighborhood.
Method:
Exploratory focus group study was conducted with Latinos stratified by preferred language and gender: English-speaking women (n = 7, M age = 74.6); English-speaking men (n = 3, M age = 69.3); Spanish-speaking women (n = 5, M age = 66.4); Spanish-speaking men (n = 5, M age = 74.0). Focus group audio files were transcribed, and qualitative research software was used to code and analyze documents.
Results:
At the individual level, reasons for exercising (improved health) and positive health outcome expectancies (weight loss and decreased knee pain) were discussed. Neighborhood/environmental factors of safety (fear of crime), neighborhood changes (lack of jobs and decreased social networks), weather, and destination walking were discussed.
Discussion:
Individual and environmental factors influence PA of older, urban Latinos, and should be taken into consideration in health promotion efforts.
