Background
Physical activity (PA) data collected through self-report suggest that fewer Hispanic adults meet the 2008 PA guidelines of aerobic activity compared to their white counterparts (45.8% vs. 53.9, respectively collected through BRFSS). Activity through active transportation and during leisure time is a viable way to accumulate the activity recommended.  Studies using objective methods of assessing active transport-related behaviors among Latinas are needed.

Objectives
The current analysis aims to (1) describe travel behaviors (number of trips, time, and distance) in walking and vehicle among adult Latinas living in a border community and (2) examine socio-demographic correlates of these travel behaviors.

Methods
Eighty eight churchgoing Latinas completed a baseline survey as part of a randomized controlled trial for PA promotion. Survey data was collected as well as anthropometric measures (in order to obtain BMI) for all participants. The average age of the women was 45 years (ranging from 18-65), with about 60% having a monthly household income less than $2,000, and about 55% reporting to have less than a high school education. Close to 85% of the sample was considered either overweight or obese, and 74% reported driving a vehicle. Global Positioning System (GPS) and accelerometer data were collected (for 2-7 days) and then integrated using the Personal Activity and Location Measurement System (PALMS), a web-based application that integrates objectively-measured activity and location-based data. The data can be interpreted as transportation minutes (minutes walking, biking, and in a vehicle). General linear models were conducted examining the relation between  age, years living in the US, education, income, employment status, driving status, body weight status, number of children living in the household; with mean minutes per day, trips per day, and distance in trips per day in each mode (walking and in a vehicle) as the outcome.

Results
Accelerometer-measured moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 13 min/day. The average daily number of GPS-assessed walking trips across participants was 1.69 (SD=1.27), with an average daily distance of 0.67 km (SD=0.59) and an average time of 15.09 minutes (SD=12.62) minutes per day. The average daily number of vehicle trips across participants was 4.69 (SD=2.0), with an average daily distance of 41.13 km (SD=37.99) and an average time of 65.74 (SD=35.57) minutes per day. The average time (minutes) per trip was 9.33 (SD=8.79) for walking and 14.20 (SD=14.06) in a vehicle. The average distance (km) was 0.44 (SD=0.62) for walking and 8.77 (SD = 18.99) in a vehicle. When examining the relationship between average daily time in walking trips and body weight status, those of a higher weight status (overweight or obese) spent significantly less time walking  (p < 0.05) compared to those who were normal weight. Individuals who lived in the US longer were more likely to walk compared to those who have lived in the US for a lesser time (p=.07).  Those who  spent more time (minutes) in a vehicle were more educated, reported higher incomes, and were more likely to be employed (p<.05).

Conclusions
Because study findings show an inverse association between weight status and walking, encouraging walking may be a strategy to target the obesity epidemic in Latinos.  Overall, participants spent considerably more time in a vehicle compared to walking. Tailored interventions may target those from higher socioeconomic status as study findings suggest that they were more likely to spend time in their vehicles compared to those of other lower socio-demographic backgrounds.

Implications
This study suggests that Latinas may be spending substantially more time in a vehicle as opposed to walking. Because higher socio-economic status was associated with more vehicle time, transportation systems (i.e. public transportation and walking infrastructure) reaching communities from diverse backgrounds are likely needed to help increase minutes in walking  as well as reducing vehicle time.

References
1. Obesity and Hispanic Americans  - The Office of Minority Health - OMH. (n.d.). Retrieved July 09, 2014, from http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=6459 2. Martinez, S. M., Arredondo, E. M., Perez, G., & Baquero, B. (n.d.). Individual, social, and environmental barriers to and facilitators of physical activity among Latinas living in San Diego County: focus group results. Family & Community Health, 32(1), 22–33. doi:10.1097/01.FCH.0000342814.42025.6d

Support / Funding Source
NIH/NCI [3R01CA138894-05S2]