Ochoa Del-Toro, A.G.; Mitchell-Bennett, L.A.; Machiorlatti, M.; Robledo, C.A.; Davé, A.C.; Lozoya, R.N.; Reininger, B.M. Community Exercise Program Participation and Mental Well-Being in the U.S. Texas–Mexico Border Region. Healthcare2023, 11, 2946.
Ochoa Del-Toro, A.G.; Mitchell-Bennett, L.A.; Machiorlatti, M.; Robledo, C.A.; Davé, A.C.; Lozoya, R.N.; Reininger, B.M. Community Exercise Program Participation and Mental Well-Being in the U.S. Texas–Mexico Border Region. Healthcare 2023, 11, 2946.
Ochoa Del-Toro, A.G.; Mitchell-Bennett, L.A.; Machiorlatti, M.; Robledo, C.A.; Davé, A.C.; Lozoya, R.N.; Reininger, B.M. Community Exercise Program Participation and Mental Well-Being in the U.S. Texas–Mexico Border Region. Healthcare2023, 11, 2946.
Ochoa Del-Toro, A.G.; Mitchell-Bennett, L.A.; Machiorlatti, M.; Robledo, C.A.; Davé, A.C.; Lozoya, R.N.; Reininger, B.M. Community Exercise Program Participation and Mental Well-Being in the U.S. Texas–Mexico Border Region. Healthcare 2023, 11, 2946.
Abstract
Hispanics are disproportionately affected by low rates of physical activity and high rates of chronic diseases. Hispanics generally and Mexican Americans specifically are underrepresented in research on physical activity and its impact on mental well-being. Some community-based interventions have been effective in increasing physical activity among Hispanics. This study examined data from a sample of low-income Hispanic participants in free community exercise classes to characterize the association between self-reported frequency of exercise class attendance, intensity of physical activity, and participant well-being. As part of two cross-sectional samples recruited from a stratified random sample of community exercise classes, 302 participants completed a questionnaire consisting of a modified version of the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ) and the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF). Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses indicated that those who achieve moderate and strenuous self-reported physical activity have 130% higher odds (p = 0.0422) of positive mental well-being after adjustment for age, attendance, and self-reported health. This study provides evidence that physical activity intensity and time are associated with flourishing mental health among Hispanics. The study provides insight into the planning and development of community-based physical activity programming tailored to low-income populations.
Keywords
US-Mexico border health; community-wide campaign; physical exercise; mental health; public health; Latino community health; health behavior promotion
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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