Mujeres activas: sociocultural influences of physical activity on adolescent girls and their mothers of Mexican descent

Obesity and inadequate physical activity (PA) are risk factors for cardiovascular and chronic diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in six youth are obese, and only 27.1% of adolescents meet the minimum federal recommendations of 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Latina girls have the lowest rates (14.7%) compared to white (195%) and black adolescent girls (16.6%). Among Latino adults, only 16% meet the federal guideline of 150 minutes of moderate activity. There are reported differences in PA engagement within Latino subpopulations (e.g. Mexican, South or Central American, Dominican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, etc.). Individuals of Mexican origin constitute 63% of the total Latino population in the US. This raises important questions about the influence of specific sociocultural variables on PA engagement within this subpopulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sociocultural variables (e.g. cultural values, perceptions and practices) of PA of mothers of Mexican descent on their adolescent daughters’ PA behavior. N=10 mothers of Mexican descent and their daughters (ages 10- 12) were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed. The themes that emerged from the mothers’ interviews showed cultural influence and perceived benefits effect their perceptions and practices of PA for themselves and their daughters. Themes that emerged from daughters’ interviews showed social support, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers effect their own PA participation. Overlapping themes from both groups include PA participation as a family and perceived benefits of PA. The results of this study can inform future development and implementation of PA interventions to potentially increase PA participation among this population.