Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors among Korean American Adults with DM Risk Profile

Sedentary lifestyle (e.g. Too much time of viewing television) as well as insufficient physical activity (PA) are direct contributors to the increasing prevalence and incidence of diabetes (DM). Despite of the known negative effects on health, sedentary behaviors (SB) have not been studied in Korean Americans. A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted with 228 Korean Americans (30-90 years) without a diagnosis of DM. The purposes of the study were (a) to examine correlates associated with PA and SB and (b) to examine the factor structure of the DM risk profile. Older people were more likely to be active during leisure time and spent more time viewing television. Employed participants were more physically active in their workplace, but had more time spent driving. Positive correlates of PA were not having children (< 18 years) living at home, social support for PA, environmental resources, self-efficacy for PA, and fewer barriers to PA. Positive correlates of SB were older age, unemployment, higher income and education, and American acculturation. Environmental resources and current mental health status had positive indirect effects on transportation PA and leisure time PA mediated through barriers to PA. Environmental resources, American acculturation, and Korean acculturation had positive indirect effects on total SB and leisure time PA mediated through self-efficacy for PA. Surprisingly, 50% of subjects had pre-diabetes by the A1C. To a lesser degree, DM risk profile was reflected by age, A1C, systolic blood pressure, random blood glucose, index of central obesity, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index. Findings of the study indicated that multi-level diabetes prevention strategies are required for Korean American adults at high risk of developing diabetes. Providing information regarding available environmental resources, harmful effects of sedentary behaviors on health outcomes, guidelines of physical activity recommendation, and importance of light-intensity physical activity would help Korean Americans be physically active and reduce sedentary time. Study findings also points out the need of A1C test for pre-diabetes and diabetes screening, physical activity friendly environments, and policy changes to support physical activity.