Utilitarian and Recreational Walking Among Spanish- and English-Speaking Latino Adults in Micropolitan US Towns

Abstract

Background: Walking among Latinos in US Micropolitan towns may vary by language spoken. Methods: In 2011–2012, we collected telephone survey and built environment (BE) data from adults in six towns located within micropolitan counties from two states with sizable Latino populations. We performed mixed-effects logistic regression modeling to examine relationships between ethnicity-language group [Spanish-speaking Latinos (SSLs); English-speaking Latinos (ESLs); and English-speaking non-Latinos (ENLs)] and utilitarian walking and recreational walking, accounting for socio-demographic, lifestyle and BE characteristics. Results: Low-income SSLs reported higher amounts of utilitarian walking than ENLs (p = 0.007), but utilitarian walking in this group decreased as income increased. SSLs reported lower amounts of recreational walking than ENLs (p = 0.004). ESL–ENL differences were not significant. We identified no statistically significant interactions between ethnicity-language group and BE characteristics. Discussion: Approaches to increase walking in micropolitan towns with sizable SSL populations may need to account for this group’s differences in walking behaviors.