Mexican-American Children’s Perspectives: Neighborhood Characteristics and Physical Activity in Texas-Mexico Border Colonias

Authors

Nelda Mier, The Texas A&m University System Health Science Center
Chanam Lee, The Texas A&m University System Health Science Center
Matthew Lee Smith
Xiaohui Wang, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
David Irizarry
Elias H. Avila-Rodriguez
Laura Trevino
Marcia G. Ory, The Texas A&m University System Health Science Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2013

Abstract

The qualitative study described in this article investigated perceptions about environmental factors infl uencing physical activity (PA) among children from underserved neighborhoods known as colonias in the U.S.-Mexico border. Ten focus groups were conducted with 67 Mexican-American colonia children ages 8 to 13 living in one of the poorest border counties in the U.S. Analyses indicated that PA among children was influenced by neighborhood characteristics, including litter, speeding cars, unleashed dogs, and dark streets. The children also underlined intrapersonal and social environmental factors. Findings may inform policy makers and public health professionals about ways to promote PA among underserved children through urban planning and programs focusing on PA-supportive infrastructure, neighborhood safety, and family- and home-based physical activities.

Comments

© Copyright 2013, National Environmental Health Association

Recommended Citation

Mier, Nelda, Chanam Lee, Matthew Lee Smith, Xiaohui Wang, David Irizarry, Elias H. Avila-Rodriguez, Laura Trevino, and Marcia G. Ory. "Mexican-American children’s perspectives: Neighborhood characteristics and physical activity in Texas-Mexico border colonias." Journal of Environmental Health 76, no. 3 (2013): 8-17.

Publication Title

Journal of Environmental Health