Does Acculturation Influence Physical Activity in Japanese American Older Adults?
PURPOSE: Despite the health benefits of physical activity, demographic and health factors as well as cultural backgrounds are thought to influence participation in physical activity. The aim of this study is to examine whether acculturation is associated with physical activity in a sample of Japanese American older adults living on the continental United States. METHODS: A survey was mailed to Japanese Americans identified from the mailing list of two communitybased organizations. The survey included questions on physical activity, acculturation, demographics, health behaviors, and selfreported health status. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multiple regression techniques. FINDINGS: Acculturation was not a significant predictor of phsical activity in either community sample, or the pooled sample, after conrolling for other sociodemographic andhealth status variables. The models explained 23% to 2% of the variance in physical activity. Statistically significant predictor
Despite the health benefits of physical activity, demographic and health factors as well as cultural backgrounds are thought to influence participation in physical activity. The aim of this study is to examine whether acculturation is associated with physical activity in a sample of Japanese American older adults living on the continental United States.
