Kristin J. August|Dara H. Sorkin
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Exercise and Dietary Behaviors of Middle-Aged and Older Adults
University of California, Irvine|University of California, Irvine
differences health behaviors may important contributors racialethnic disparities health status adults studies date compared whether health behavior differences exercise dietary behaviors among middleage older adults four largest racialethnic categoriesto investigate racialethnic differences exercise dietary behaviors middleaged older adultswe used data 2007 california health interview survey multivariable logistic regression used examine interactions age raceethnicity predicting two categories health behaviors analyses conducted adjusting sociodemographic characteristics health insurance status healthcare utilizationa populationbased sample 33189 california adults 45 years old older 26522 nonhispanic whites 1686 african americanblacks 2565 asianpacific islanders 1741 englishproficient 824 limited englishproficient 2416 latinos 1538 englishproficient 878 limited englishproficientselfreport leisuretime physical activity moderate vigorous daily consumption fruits vegetablesracialethnic minorities generally engaged less healthy exercise dietary behaviors whites differences pronounced middle adulthood disparities greatest among englishproficient minorities specifically among middleaged respondents racialethnic minorities engaged less vigorous physical activity whites ors range 028 073 95 ci range 016100 additionally middleaged englishproficient minorities engaged less moderate physical activity compared whites ors range 057 067 95 ci range 045079 furthermore middleaged englishproficient latinos poorer diet whites 054 039075 significant racialethnic differences emerged exercise dietary behaviors older adultsracialethnic disparities exercise dietary behaviors notable among middleaged acculturated minorities results highlight need promote positive exercise dietary behaviors critical preventive ages racialethnic disparities large potential prevent chronic disease great