Database of Research on Ageing

Influence of neighbourhood ethnic density, diet and physical activity on ethnic differences in weight status: A study of 214,807 adults in Australia

Author/s: Astell-Burt, T. Feng, X. Croteau, K. Kolt, G. S. | Year: 2013 | Publication type: Journal article | Peer reviewed: | Topic area/s: Physical Health

Reference: Astell-Burt, T., X. Feng, K. Croteau and G. S. Kolt (2013). "Influence of neighbourhood ethnic density, diet and physical activity on ethnic differences in weight status: A study of 214,807 adults in Australia." Social Science and Medicine 93.

Key Words:: 45 & Up Study, BMI, ethnicity

Research aim:: We investigated whether ethnic and country of birth differences in adult Body Mass Index (BMI) were associated with differences in diet, physical activity and ethnic density (the percentage of an ethnic group within the neighbourhood environment).

Results/Conclusion:: Compared to Australian-born Australians (age-gender adjusted mean BMI=27.1, 95%CI 27.1, 27.2), overseas-born groups often had lower mean BMI, especially the Chinese born in China (23.2, 23.0, 23.4). Exceptions included the Italians (BMI=28.1), Greeks (28.5), Maltese (27.6), Lebanese (28.4) and Croatians (27.8) born in their ethnic-country of origin. Regardless of birthplace, BMI was lower for the English, Scottish, and Chinese, but higher for Italians and Greeks. Some ethnic differences reflected the 'healthy migrant' hypothesis, whereas others did not. For some groups, but not all, living among others of the same ethnic group may proxy unmeasured health-promoting factors and these contexts, along with other factors that harm health (e.g. racial discrimination) warrant further investigation.

Implications:

Cultural Group(s):: Several (38) CALD groups represented in results

Location of study:: New South Wales

Age group:: 45+

Number included in study:: 214,807

Type of participants:: participants in the 45 & Up Study

Research approach:: Quantitative

Type of data:: Secondary

Secondary data sources used:

Specific scales or analytical techniques used:

Implications/ Recommendations:

Notes:: 45 and Up Study

The Influence of the Built Environment and Other Factors on the Physical Activity of Older Women from Different Ethnic Communities

Author/s: Bird, Stephen Kurowski, William Feldman, Susan Browning, Colette Lau, Rosalind Radermacher, Harriet Thomas, Shane Sims, Jane | Year: 2009 | Publication type: Journal article | Peer reviewed: | Topic area/s: General Wellbeing, Physical Activity

Reference: Bird, S., W. Kurowski, S. Feldman, C. Browning, R. Lau, H. Radermacher, S. Thomas and J. Sims (2009). "The Influence of the Built Environment and Other Factors on the Physical Activity of Older Women from Different Ethnic Communities." Journal of Women & Aging 21(1): 33-47.

Key Words:: barriers to physical activity, Greek, Vietnamese, older women, built environment

Research aim:: Study aims were to assess the personal, social, and environmental facilitators and impediments to physical activity in older women from ethnic communities and to determine the factors associated with physical activity participation.

Results/Conclusion:: The most common barriers were: I am not in good health, I am self-conscious about my looks, I am too tired, I don't have time, and The weather is bad. When comparing the ethnic groups, the Vietnamese women reported fewer barriers than the Italian women (2.6 vs. 5.9). While the Vietnamese women were much more likely to report being 'self-conscious about my looks', the Italian women more commonly reported poor health, being too tired, and not liking exercise as barriers. Overall, those living alone were more likely to be active and those who reported fear of injury, less active.

Implications:: Recognizing ethnospecific differences in the prevalence of barriers may be important when devising strategies to increase activity levels of older women.

Cultural Group(s):: Greek, Vietnamese, Anglo-Celtic

Location of study:: Victoria (Melbourne)

Age group:: 60-84

Number included in study:: 20 Italian, 26 Vietnamese, 26 Anglo-Celtic women

Type of participants:: older women from different Greek, Vietnamese and Anglo-Celtic backgrounds

Research approach:: Quantitative

Type of data:: Primary

Secondary data sources used:

Specific scales or analytical techniques used:

Implications/ Recommendations:

Notes:: Highly relevant - compares groups of older CALD - see other journal article by same authors that reports on the larger project including other cultural groups and men and women

Factors influencing the physical activity levels of older people from culturally-diverse communities: an Australian experience

Author/s: Bird, Stephen Radermacher, Harriet Feldman, Susan Sims, Jane Kurowski, William Browning, Collette Thomas, Shane | Year: 2009 | Publication type: Journal article | Peer reviewed: | Topic area/s: General Wellbeing, Physical Activity

Reference: Bird, S., H. Radermacher, S. Feldman, J. Sims, W. Kurowski, C. Browning and S. Thomas (2009). "Factors influencing the physical activity levels of older people from culturally-diverse communities: an Australian experience." Ageing & Society 29(Special Issue 08): 1275-1294.

Key Words:: barriers to physical activity, CALD older people, built environment

Research aim:: This study assessed the facilitators and barriers to physical activity in older people from culturally-diverse communities, and investigated the predictors of physical activity participation

Results/Conclusion:: Personal barriers to physical activity, such as poor health, lacking the energy to exercise, being too tired and low motivation, were highly prevalent in all groups. Specific factors, such as 'being self-conscious about my looks', were more prevalent among the Vietnamese, as were concerns about the weather among Macedonians and Croatians. Across all groups, perceptions of health and safety strongly influenced physical activity behaviour, more so than the external environment.

Implications:: Some of the barriers can be addressed with a common approach, but others in some communities will require particular strategies.

Cultural Group(s):: Greek, Vietnamese, Macedonian, Croatian, Italian, Maltese, Anglo-Celtic

Location of study:: Victoria (Melbourne)

Age group:: 60+

Number included in study:: 333

Type of participants:: older people from Greek, Vietnamese, Italian, Macedonian, Maltese, Croatian, Anglo-Celtic backgrounds

Research approach:: Quantitative

Type of data:: Primary

Secondary data sources used:

Specific scales or analytical techniques used:

Implications/ Recommendations:

Notes:: Article about complete study - see other journal article by same authors that focuses on CALD older women from 3 birthplace groups. Results from this study were also presented in a report by the same authors in 2007

Factors influencing the physical activity levels of older people from culturally diverse communities: An Australian experience

Author/s: Bird, Stephen Feldman, Susan Radermacher, Harriet Browning, C. Thomas, Shane | Year: 2007 | Publication type: Report | Peer reviewed: | Topic area/s: General Wellbeing, Physical Activity

Reference: Bird, S., S. Feldman, H. Radermacher, C. Browning and S. Thomas (2007). Factors influencing the physical activity levels of older people from culturally diverse communities: An Australian experience. Shire of Melton, Victoria, Brimbank City Council, Maribyrnong City.

Key Words:: physical activity, CALD older people, built environment

Research aim:: This study assessed the facilitators and barriers to physical activity in older people from culturally-diverse communities, and investigated the predictors of physical activity participation

Results/Conclusion:: Approximately one third of the study participants failed to attain the advocated 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Some of the barriers to physical activity were personal, such as perceived ill-health, lack of energy, fear of injury and lack of motivation. And some factors were environmental, such as the weather and concerns about safety.

Implications:: factors that could facilitate an increase in physical activity amongst older people living in this region included: providing paths that were shaded by trees and separated from the traffic by nature strips; recreation areas in which the older people could meet and socialise, including outdoor areas used by people of all ages; providing well-maintained footpaths that were free from litter; access to free or low cost recreation facilities; and the transport means to get there. Additionally, the data suggested that some of the older people, who were classified as inactive, were less well informed about physical activity opportunities in their area.

Cultural Group(s):: Greek, Vietnamese, Macedonian, Croatian, Italian, Maltese, Anglo-Celtic

Location of study:: Victoria (Melbourne)

Age group:: 60+

Number included in study:: 333

Type of participants:: older people from Greek, Vietnamese, Italian, Macedonian, Maltese, Croatian, Anglo-Celtic backgrounds

Research approach:: Mixed methods

Type of data:: Primary

Secondary data sources used:

Specific scales or analytical techniques used:

Implications/ Recommendations:

Notes:: See other articles about this study by the same authors

Overcoming barriers to physical activity among culturally and linguistically diverse older adults: A randomised controlled trial

Author/s: Borschmann, Karen Brown, Colin Ledgerwood, Kay Lin, Xiaoping Moore, Kirsten Renehan, Emma Russell, Melissa Sison, Jasmine | Year: 2010 | Publication type: Journal article | Peer reviewed: | Topic area/s: General Wellbeing, Physical Activity

Reference: Borschmann, K., C. Brown, K. Ledgerwood, X. Lin, K. Moore, E. Renehan, M. Russell and J. Sison (2010). "Overcoming barriers to physical activity among culturally and linguistically diverse older adults: A randomised controlled trial." Australasian Journal on Ageing 29.

Key Words:: physical activity, Macedonian, Polish, health promotion

Research aim:: To investigate by randomised trial, health professional facilitated sessions aiming to overcome barriers to physical activity (PA), improve readiness to undertake PA, increase PA participation and improve fitness among older Australian adults from Macedonian and Polish backgrounds.

Results/Conclusion:: No significant differences were found between experimental groups in primary (Stages of Change Questionnaire (SocQ), steps per day and Human Activity Profile) or secondary outcomes.

Implications:: This study has highlighted methodological considerations for PA health promotion and research with older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in a community setting. Investigation of older CALD adults' perceptions of what are 'adequate levels of PA' and methods of increasing PA is warranted

Cultural Group(s):: Macedonian, Polish

Location of study:: Victoria (Melbourne)

Age group:: 70 (mean age)

Number included in study:: 121

Type of participants:: Older people from Macedonian and Polish backgrounds

Research approach:: Quantitative

Type of data:

Secondary data sources used:

Specific scales or analytical techniques used:

Implications/ Recommendations:

Notes:

Physical activity behaviours of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women living in Australia: A qualitative study of socio-cultural influences

Author/s: Caperchione, Cristina Kolt, Gregory Tennent, Rebeka Mummery, W. K. | Year: 2011 | Publication type: Journal article | Peer reviewed: | Topic area/s: General Wellbeing, Physical Activity

Reference: Caperchione, C., G. Kolt, R. Tennent and W. K. Mummery (2011). "Physical activity behaviours of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women living in Australia: A qualitative study of socio-cultural influences." BMC Public Health 11(26).

Key Words:: physical activity, health, chronic disease, women, socio-cultural influences

Research aim:: The purpose of this study was to examine the socio-cultural influences on the physical activity behaviours of CALD women living in Australia by identifing the barriers, constraints and possible enablers to physical activity participation for this population.

Results/Conclusion:: Common themes included: knowledge of physical activity, differing physical activity levels, and the effects of psychological and socio-cultural factors, environmental factors, and perceptions of ill-health and injury, on physical activity behaviours. Ethnic-specific themes indicated that post-war trauma, religious beliefs and obligations, socio-economic status, social isolation and the acceptance of traditional cultural activities, greatly influenced the physical activity behaviours of Bosnian, Arabic speaking, Filipino and Sudanese women living in communities throughout Australia.

Implications:: This study demonstrates that attitudes and understandings of health and wellbeing are complex, and have a strong socio-cultural influence. The findings of the present study can be used not only to inform further health promotion initiatives, but also as a platform for further research with consumers of these services and with those who deliver such services.

Cultural Group(s):: Bosnian, Arabic-speaking, Filipino, Sudanese

Location of study:: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne

Age group:: not specific to older people

Number included in study:: 110

Type of participants:: women from Bosnian, Arabic speaking, Filipino and Sudanese communities in three regions

Research approach:: Qualitative

Type of data:: Primary

Secondary data sources used:

Specific scales or analytical techniques used:

Implications/ Recommendations:

Notes:: Not specific to older people