Demography of Exercise among Californians of Korean Descent: A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey

This study describes aerobic exercise and walking for exercise behaviors among the Korean American population, a rapidly growing minority. Data for this study were drawn from a representative survey of Californians of Korean descent (N = 2,830) conducted by telephone; 86% of eligible participants completed interviews in either Korean or English. Sample characteristics closely approximated those for Koreans in the 2000 United States Census for California. The data show that 32.8% of Koreans vigorously exercise or walk for exercise, but walking regimens and more vigorous modes of exercise are employed by different subgroups. Women, less acculturated, married persons, and less well educated are particularly low in vigorous exercise. Korean Americans walk for exercise much less than majority groups, although they engage in vigorous physical activity on a roughly equivalent basis. Interventions to promote physical activity should be adapted not only for the Korean culture but also for specific subgroups defined demographically.