Increasing Physical Activity in Latino Men

Physical Activity in Latino Men Through Tailoring is an individually randomized web and text
message based pilot study, designed to increase physical activity amongst Latino men. The
study is conducting formative research with a diverse population of Latino men to inform the
adaptation of the Pasos Hacia La Salud web-based intervention, which was developed for Latina
women, to an intervention focused on Latino men. Consideration will also be taken to ensure
intervention material is culturally appropriate for Latino men of Caribbean, South and
Central American origin. Half the study participants will be randomized into the intervention
arm and half into the comparison group. Participants in the intervention arm will have access
to a website where they can complete questionnaires, receive information, log their physical
activity and set goals. Participants complete monthly questionnaires to establish their stage
of change toward increasing their physical activity and receive information manuals based on
their current stage of change. They will also have access to tip sheets via the study website
and receive reoccurring text messages reminding them to log into the website. Participants in
the comparison arm will have access to a similar website with information related to
nutrition and overall wellness, not including physical activity.

The primary aims of this project are (1) to conduct formative research with a diverse
population of RI Latino men to adapt the existing web-based interventions and add text
message-based components to complement and enhance the intervention. The second primary aim
is to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention
and the study recruitment, implementation and evaluation protocols with a diverse population
of Latino men. An additional exploratory aim will be to examine potential moderators of
treatment effects including demographics, acculturation, and environmental variables such as
the neighborhood built, social and economic environments. The hypothesis is that participants
randomized to the intervention condition will have greater increases in weekly minutes of
physical activity after six months than those randomized to a wellness control condition. The
results of this pilot study will inform a future randomized controlled trial with Latino men
to increase PA.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Be sedentary ( participate in moderate intensity leisure time PA two days a week for
less than 30 minutes a day, or less)

- Identify as a Latino male

- Speak Spanish

- Score of more than 16% on Spanish Shortened Test of Functional Health Literacy in
Adults

- Own a cell phone with texting capabilities and have internet access

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of myocardial infarction or angina, insulin-dependent diabetes or
hospitalization for diabetes in the past year, stroke, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis,
orthopedic problems, or any medical condition that would make PA unsafe.

- Planning to move from the area in the next 6 months

- Hospitalization due to a psychiatric disorder in the past 3 years.

- BMI of 45 or higher and/or taking any medication that may impair PA tolerance or
performance.

- If they or another family member is already enrolled in another PA or weight control
study.