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Social Determinants of Physical Inactivity in the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS)

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Abstract

Physical inactivity is an important and modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factor. Little is known about the social determinants of physical inactivity in older, urban-dwelling populations. We collected socio-demographic and medical risk factor information and physical activity questionnaires in the Northern Manhattan Study. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine whether measures of social isolation, race-ethnicity, and sex were associated with physical inactivity. Physical inactivity was present in 40.5% of the cohort. In multivariable models adjusted for medical comorbidities, Hispanic race-ethnicity (compared to non-Hispanic white) was associated with higher odds of physical inactivity (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.78, 2.67), while women were more likely to be inactive than men (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.15, 1.54). Having Medicaid/being uninsured (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02, 1.42), and having fewer than 3 friends (1.41, 95% CI 1.15, 1.72) were also associated with physical inactivity. Physical inactivity is common, particularly in Hispanics, women, and those who are socially isolated. Public health interventions aimed at increasing physical activity in these more sedentary groups are required.

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Funding

Funding for this project was provided by NIH/NINDS R37 NS 29993 (RLS/MSVE) and NIH/NINDS T32 NS 07153 (JZW). The first author had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Columbia University, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Joshua Z. Willey, Mitchell S. V. Elkind & Bernadette Boden-Albala

  2. Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Myunghee C. Paik

  3. Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Ralph Sacco

  4. Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Mitchell S. V. Elkind

  5. Department of Socio-Medical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Bernadette Boden-Albala

Authors
  1. Joshua Z. Willey
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  2. Myunghee C. Paik
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  3. Ralph Sacco
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  4. Mitchell S. V. Elkind
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  5. Bernadette Boden-Albala
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Correspondence to Joshua Z. Willey.

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Willey, J.Z., Paik, M.C., Sacco, R. et al. Social Determinants of Physical Inactivity in the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS). J Community Health 35, 602–608 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-010-9249-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-010-9249-2

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