571103 research-article2015
WJNXXX10.1177/0193945915571103Western Journal of NursingEditorial
Editorial
Lack of Physical Activity in Hispanic Adults
Western Journal of Nursing Research 2015, Vol. 37(6) 703–704 © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0193945915571103 wjn.sagepub.com
Physical activity (PA), along with dietary modification, has been touted as an effective behavioral intervention to achieve health benefits and longevity. While this appears to be a simple solution, behavioral modifications are notoriously difficult to maintain. Ensuring that individuals achieve the recommended amount of PA remains an elusive goal. Hispanic adults comprise one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, and there is a limited amount of evidence in the literature that showcases effective ways to promote regular PA. The health benefits of regular PA are evident from a physical, emotional, and psychological standpoint. Regular PA provides assistance in excess calorie expenditure and also assists in achieving and maintaining weight loss. Engaging in regular PA is associated with decreased mortality (Long et al., 2014). Finding effective ways to engage individuals in regular PA is an area of research that has previously received attention for different subsets of the population. The predicted population growth estimates an increase in Hispanic individuals to nearly one in three U.S. residents by 2060 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). Obesity rates are higher in middle-aged adults, and Hispanic individuals have the second highest rate of obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Many health conditions such as diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease are associated with overweight and obesity. Hispanic adults are at an increased risk of obesity-related conditions. Research is needed to promote regular PA with Hispanic adults. There are multiple ramifications to achieving regular PA in Hispanic adults. From a population health perspective, increasing regular PA in Hispanic adults will lead to a decrease in obesity-related health conditions and an overall improvement in the health of this subset of the population. From an economic standpoint, a reduction in the use of health care services due to complications from lack of regular PA will lead to better use of scarce resources. In addition, decreased complications from health conditions will lead to increased productivity in the workforce. Finally, an increase in regular PA in Hispanic adults will lead to emotional and psychosocial well-being of this growing population.
704
Western Journal of Nursing Research 37(6)
In this issue, the study by Im, Ham, Chee, and Chee (2015) explores the associations between PA and depression in four major ethnic groups of midlife women, including Hispanic adults. The authors found that Hispanic women in the study were one of the groups that had significantly higher total severity scores of depressive symptoms. Also, employment in Hispanic women was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms. The authors acknowledge that racial and ethnic differences as well as the types of PA require further exploration to determine the best course of action. Changing deeply ingrained sedentary behaviors in any population is a difficult endeavor. As the population of the United States becomes more diverse, it is imperative that culturally and ethnically appropriate PA interventions are developed to meet the growing demands. While there are some efforts underway to determine culturally relevant interventions, there is an additional need for research exploring the most effective ways to engage Hispanic adults in regular PA. Julio Loya, BSN, RN, CMSRN WJNR Editorial Board Intern University of Missouri References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Overweight and obesity—Adult obesity facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html Im, E. O., Ham, O. K., Chee, E., & Chee, W. (2015). Physical activity and depressive symptoms in four ethnic groups of midlife women. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 37(6), 746-766. Long, G., Watkinson, C., Brage, S., Morris, J., Tuxworth, B., Fentem, P., . . . Wareham, N. (2014). Mortality benefits of population-wide adherence to national physical activity guidelines: A prospective cohort study. European Journal of Epidemiology, 30(1), 71-9. U.S. Census Bureau. (2012). U.S. Census Bureau projections show a slower growing, older, more diverse nation a half century from now. Retrieved from https://www. census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb12-243.html
Copyright of Western Journal of Nursing Research is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
WJNXXX10.1177/0193945915571103Western Journal of NursingEditorial
Editorial
Lack of Physical Activity in Hispanic Adults
Western Journal of Nursing Research 2015, Vol. 37(6) 703–704 © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0193945915571103 wjn.sagepub.com
Physical activity (PA), along with dietary modification, has been touted as an effective behavioral intervention to achieve health benefits and longevity. While this appears to be a simple solution, behavioral modifications are notoriously difficult to maintain. Ensuring that individuals achieve the recommended amount of PA remains an elusive goal. Hispanic adults comprise one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, and there is a limited amount of evidence in the literature that showcases effective ways to promote regular PA. The health benefits of regular PA are evident from a physical, emotional, and psychological standpoint. Regular PA provides assistance in excess calorie expenditure and also assists in achieving and maintaining weight loss. Engaging in regular PA is associated with decreased mortality (Long et al., 2014). Finding effective ways to engage individuals in regular PA is an area of research that has previously received attention for different subsets of the population. The predicted population growth estimates an increase in Hispanic individuals to nearly one in three U.S. residents by 2060 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). Obesity rates are higher in middle-aged adults, and Hispanic individuals have the second highest rate of obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Many health conditions such as diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease are associated with overweight and obesity. Hispanic adults are at an increased risk of obesity-related conditions. Research is needed to promote regular PA with Hispanic adults. There are multiple ramifications to achieving regular PA in Hispanic adults. From a population health perspective, increasing regular PA in Hispanic adults will lead to a decrease in obesity-related health conditions and an overall improvement in the health of this subset of the population. From an economic standpoint, a reduction in the use of health care services due to complications from lack of regular PA will lead to better use of scarce resources. In addition, decreased complications from health conditions will lead to increased productivity in the workforce. Finally, an increase in regular PA in Hispanic adults will lead to emotional and psychosocial well-being of this growing population.
704
Western Journal of Nursing Research 37(6)
In this issue, the study by Im, Ham, Chee, and Chee (2015) explores the associations between PA and depression in four major ethnic groups of midlife women, including Hispanic adults. The authors found that Hispanic women in the study were one of the groups that had significantly higher total severity scores of depressive symptoms. Also, employment in Hispanic women was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms. The authors acknowledge that racial and ethnic differences as well as the types of PA require further exploration to determine the best course of action. Changing deeply ingrained sedentary behaviors in any population is a difficult endeavor. As the population of the United States becomes more diverse, it is imperative that culturally and ethnically appropriate PA interventions are developed to meet the growing demands. While there are some efforts underway to determine culturally relevant interventions, there is an additional need for research exploring the most effective ways to engage Hispanic adults in regular PA. Julio Loya, BSN, RN, CMSRN WJNR Editorial Board Intern University of Missouri References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Overweight and obesity—Adult obesity facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html Im, E. O., Ham, O. K., Chee, E., & Chee, W. (2015). Physical activity and depressive symptoms in four ethnic groups of midlife women. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 37(6), 746-766. Long, G., Watkinson, C., Brage, S., Morris, J., Tuxworth, B., Fentem, P., . . . Wareham, N. (2014). Mortality benefits of population-wide adherence to national physical activity guidelines: A prospective cohort study. European Journal of Epidemiology, 30(1), 71-9. U.S. Census Bureau. (2012). U.S. Census Bureau projections show a slower growing, older, more diverse nation a half century from now. Retrieved from https://www. census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb12-243.html
Copyright of Western Journal of Nursing Research is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
