Community Exercise Program Participation and Mental Well-Being in the U.S. Texas-Mexico Border Region

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Exercise Science
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Hispanics experience higher rates of chronic disease and lower physical activity levels.
• Research on physical activity's mental health impact often underrepresents Hispanic populations, particularly Mexican Americans.
• Community-based programs show promise for increasing physical activity among Hispanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between exercise class attendance, physical activity intensity, and mental well-being in low-income Hispanic adults.
• To characterize the relationship between self-reported physical activity levels and positive mental well-being.
• To inform the development of targeted physical activity interventions for Hispanic communities.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing data from 302 low-income Hispanic participants in free community exercise classes.
• Participants completed the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ) and the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF).
• Adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations, controlling for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

• Participants reporting mild, moderate, or strenuous physical activity had 130% higher odds of positive mental well-being (p = 0.0422).
• The association between physical activity and mental well-being was particularly pronounced at mild intensity levels.
• Attendance frequency and self-reported health did not negate the positive impact of physical activity intensity on well-being.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity intensity is significantly associated with enhanced mental well-being among Hispanic adults.
• Mild levels of physical activity demonstrate a notable positive impact on mental health.
• Findings support the design of accessible, community-based physical activity programs tailored to the needs of low-income Hispanic populations.