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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

Open Access 13-02-2024 | Original Paper

Let’s Walk: A Quasi-Experimental Multi-Component Intervention to Improve Physical Activity and Social Engagement for Older Chinese American Adults

Authors: Carina Katigbak, Ssu-Fang Cheng, Christina Matz, Holly Jimison

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is critical for healthy aging, yet < 16% of U.S. older adults meet federal recommendations for moderate to vigorous PA. Asian Americans are a rapidly growing segment of the older adult population, who are less likely to meet these guidelines, and are frequently under-represented in clinical trials. This quasi-experimental pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a culturally tailored walking program to improve PA and social engagement for older Chinese Americans in Boston, MA. Participants at two community organizations were assigned to an enhanced walking or walking only condition for 12 weeks. Mixed effect repeated measures analysis addressed the study aims. The enhanced walking group (intervention) had fewer steps at baseline and less of a reduction in steps by 12 weeks as compared with the walking only (control) condition. Mean social engagement scores were significantly higher at 12 weeks (p = .03) for the intervention group. A culturally tailored walking intervention was feasible and acceptable for older Chinese Americans, improving social engagement and PA scores.

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Title: Let’s Walk: A Quasi-Experimental Multi-Component Intervention to Improve Physical Activity and Social Engagement for Older Chinese American Adults
Authors: Carina Katigbak
Ssu-Fang Cheng
Christina Matz
Holly Jimison
Publication date: 13-02-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-024-01584-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Let’s Walk: A Quasi-Experimental Multi-Component Intervention to Improve Physical Activity and Social Engagement for Older Chinese American Adults

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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