Perceived environmental physical activity correlates among Asian Pacific Islander Americans.

BACKGROUND Little is known about correlates of physical activity of Asian and Asian-Pacific Islander Americans (AAPI). Knowledge of these correlates could be useful in promoting physical activity. PURPOSE to identify demographic and environmental correlates of physical activity among AAPI. METHODS Participants resided in the Las Vegas, Nevada area, and completed a 52-item telephone administered questionnaire that assessed physical activity behavior, environmental supports for physical activity and demographic factors. Environmental factors included the presence of neighborhood sidewalks, park availability, and nearby grocery stores were combined to create the variable "environmental physical activity supports" (EPAS). Neighborhood crime, pleasantness of the neighborhood for walking, and the presence of loose dogs combined to form "neighborhood safety." Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of physical activity. Potential predictors included age, gender, BMI, employment, educational attainment, neighborhood safety, and EPAS. RESULTS 263 respondents completed the survey. With the exception of living near a grocery store, respondents reported residing in neighborhoods that are generally supportive of physical activity. However, EPAS was the sole significant predictor of physical activity behavior (OR = 1.52, CI = 1.06-2.17). Age and educational attainment unexpectedly failed to predict physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Supportive physical activity environments associate with physical activity behavior among AAPI.