English Language Proficiency and Physical Activity among Mexican-Origin Women in South Texas and South Carolina

Objectives. To examine the relationship between English language proficiency (ELP), physical activity, and physical activity-related psychosocial measures (i.e., exercise self-efficacy, exercise social support, perceptions of environmental supports) among Mexican-origin women in South Carolina and Texas. Design. Adjusted robust regression and interaction modeling to evaluate baseline questionnaire data on self-reported ELP with CHAMPS leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), accelerometry data, Physical Activity Self-Efficacy, Physical Activity Social Support, and Environmental Support for Physical Activity in 118 Mexican-origin women. Results. The adjusted regression revealed a significant association between ELP and perceived physical activity self-efficacy (beta=234.2, p =.004), but not with physical activity social support. In South Carolina, CHAMPS leisure-time MVPA (411.4 versus 114.3 minutes, p <.05) was significantly different between women in the high ELP quartile and those in the very low quartile. Among high ELP Mexican-origin women, participants in Texas reported significantly higher MVPA measured by accelerometry (p =.042) than those in South Carolina. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that ELP was associated with physical activity and that contextual factors may also play a role.