Exercise Patterns and Perceptions among South Asian Adults in the United States

Abstract

Our objective was to determine biological differences and perceptions about exercise among an immigrant South Asian population living in the southern United States. This is a descriptive study of exercise patterns and perceptions using baseline data from a diabetes intervention study with immigrant South Asian adults now living in the United States. The sample included middle-aged, predominantly male, well-educated, immigrant South Asians. Participants were recruited through advertisements in local South Asian magazines, information sent through community organization listservs, and in-person outreach at health fairs and screening, diabetes information events, and South Asian stores. Participants reported to the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance General Clinical Research Center at Emory University Hospital and completed a baseline visit for the South Asian Health and Prevention Education pilot study. The mean ± SD age of this cohort was 44.6 ± 10.6 yr and 35% female. Of the 52 people included in this analysis, 81% did not exercise at least 150 min·wk⁻¹ to meet the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines. Of those that did meet the Physical Activity Guidelines, 90% reported walking as their primary form of exercise. Overall, 65% reported preferring walking to other modes of exercise. There were no differences between high exercisers and low exercisers when asked about the benefits or barriers of exercise. South Asians living in the southern United States do not meet the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines. The preferred mode of exercise is walking close to home. Although barriers to exercise are similar to those of other races in the United States, preferred mode of exercise and preferences of women should be considered when implementing physical activity interventions.