Physical Activity Among Older Filipino-American Women

ABSTRACT

Filipino women (N = 530, mean age 63 years, predominantly low income) were recruited through various community based organizations and churches in Los Angeles County. All women were randomly invited to attend a single group session with a Filipino health educator to discuss breast and cervical cancer screening or the health benefits of exercise. At 3 months after the group session, the exercise assessment tool used in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III was completed by 487 women (92 percent retention rate). This paper describes the pattern of physical activity among older Filipino-American women and a physical activity intervention specifically designed for this group.

KEYWORDS:

• Filipino older women
• immigrants
• physical activity pattern
• intervention
• randomized design