Physical Activity Disparities between Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders and Other Racial-Ethnic Groups

• In Event: 40861 - Section on Sociology of Population Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 5: Health and Mortality

Abstract

The health behavioral disparities faced by Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) individuals are increasingly recognized; however, the underlying mechanisms propelling these inequities remain inadequately understood. This study delves into the racial and ethnic variances in physical activity (PA) between NHPI individuals and other racial and ethnic groups, shedding light on the contributory roles of education and household income, and the moderating role of geographical location. The research aims to address three primary inquiries: (1) What are the patterns of racial and ethnic disparities in PA between NHPI and other racial and ethnic groups? (2) To what degree do household income and educational attainment serve as mediators in the observed PA disparities between NHPI and other racial and ethnic groups? (3) Do the racial and ethnic disparities in PA exhibit regional differences? Leveraging cross-sectional data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the study employed path analytic models to evaluate two PA metrics: adherence to aerobic exercise guidelines and adherence to muscle-strengthening exercise recommendations. To explore the first two research questions, gender-specific equations were estimated with and without socioeconomic mediators using ordinal logistic regressions in path models, while controlling for age and state identifiers. Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and NHPI individuals were categorized based on single-race and multiracial identifications. For the third research question, gender- and region-specific equations were estimated in path models across four regions: Eastern US, West Coast, Hawaii, and Guam. The study's results underscore significant PA gaps between NHPI individuals of single race and NHWs, with education and household income demonstrating stronger explanatory power among women compared to men. Furthermore, notable regional disparities in racial and ethnic PA differentials were observed, particularly pronounced among wome.

Authors

• Ming Wen, University of Hong Kong

• Neng Wan, University of Utah

• Pui Yin Cheung, University of Hong Kong