Physical Activity Among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2019 Feb;51(2):245-258. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2018.09.005. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the proportion of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) meeting recommended physical activity guidelines for Americans (PAG) and determine differences in physical activity (PA) by sex and between NHPI and Asians when data are disaggregated.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Articles identified in CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Embase, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, SocINDEX, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science.

Participants: NHPI children and adults, and Asian adults.

Interventions: Proportion of NHPI meeting PAG and differences in PA involvement by sex and by ethnicity.

Methods: Summary reporting for articles, and meta-analysis using random-effects and inverse-various weighted models.

Conclusions and implications: Just over one-third of NHPI children met the PAG (mean = 38.6%, 95% CI [32.43-45.08]), with more males (42.8%) than females (34.7%) meeting the guidelines (t = 6.74, df = 1, P = .02). Less than half met the PAG for combination (mean = 48.7%, 95% CI [34.69-62.97]), moderate (mean = 47.1%, 95% CI [33.62-61.07]), and about one-third met the PAG for vigorous PA (mean = 33.4%, 95% CI [24.55-43.62]). There were no significant differences between Asians and NHPI in PA. Policy, systems, and environmental changes as well as culturally appropriate interventions are needed to increase physical activity among NHPI.

Keywords: Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders; health disparity; meta-analysis; physical activity; sex differences.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Guideline Adherence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Hawaii / ethnology
  • Health Policy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
  • Pacific Islands / ethnology
  • Young Adult