Summary
Differences in health behaviors may be important contributors to racial/ethnic disparities in the health status of adults. Studies to date have not compared whether there are health behavior differences in exercise and dietary behaviors among middle-age and older adults in the four largest racial/ethnic categories.
Authors investigate racial/ethnic differences in exercise and dietary behaviors of middle-aged and older adults using data from the 2007 California Health Interview Survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine interactions between age and race/ethnicity in predicting two categories of health behaviors. Analyses were conducted adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, health insurance status, and health care utilization.
The study used a population-based sample of 33,189 California adults 45 years old and older: 26,522 non- Hispanic whites, 1,686 African American/blacks, 2,565 Asian/Pacific Islanders (1,741 English-proficient; 824 limited English-proficient), and 2,416 Latinos (1,538 English-proficient; 878 limited English-proficient). Participants self-report leisure-time physical activity (moderate and vigorous) and daily consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Racial/ethnic minorities generally engaged in less healthy exercise and dietary behaviors than whites, with differences more pronounced in middle adulthood. The disparities were the greatest among English-proficient minorities. Specifically, among middle-aged respondents, all racial/ethnic minorities engaged in less vigorous physical activity than whites. Additionally, middle-aged, English-proficient minorities engaged in less moderate physical activity compared to whites. Furthermore, middle-aged, English-proficient Latinos had a poorer diet than whites. Few significant racial/ethnic differences emerged in the exercise and dietary behaviors of older adults.
Racial/ethnic disparities in exercise and dietary behaviors are most notable among middleaged, acculturated minorities. Results highlight the need to promote positive exercise and dietary behaviors during critical preventive ages, when racial/ethnic disparities are large and the potential to prevent chronic disease is great.
