Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15, celebrates the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

This annual recognition also offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on  Hispanic/Latino health and consider how the fitness industry can better serve this vibrant community. As of 2022, nearly 64 million Hispanics/Latinos lived in the United States, which is more than 19% of the total U.S. population.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average estimated life expectancy for Hispanics/Latinos is 80.0 years, compared to 77.5 years for non-Hispanic Whites and 72.8 years for Black/African Americans. While this is encouraging, many Hispanic/Latino individuals face health challenges related to language and cultural barriers, limited access to preventive care and lack of health insurance.

A Multilevel Approach

Recent research examined ways to increase physical-activity levels among Hispanic women, specifically moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). According to the researchers, “Socioecological models hypothesize that MVPA is influenced by factors at multiple levels of the environment (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, neighborhood, policy).”

What they found was that interventions to increase MVPA levels among Hispanic women in the shorter term should include behavior-change techniques to increase self-efficacy (the intrapersonal level) and family participation (the interpersonal level), as well as identify physical-activity opportunities and access (the neighborhood level). Further research is needed to determine strategies that will sustain participation over the longer term.

What You Can Do to Help

Working at the intrapersonal level is very much in the wheelhouse of any ACE Certified Professional, as improving self-efficacy is a foundational element of behavior change and program adherence. In addition, working with clients at the interpersonal level is central to what health coaches and exercise professionals do every day, whether that involves family participation as the researchers suggest or building a community among group fitness class participants or facility members.

You can extend those efforts to build camaraderie and social support by reaching beyond the facility walls and into the community. For example, you might launch a walking/running group, lead outdoor fitness classes or facilitate a Facebook group for clients with similar goals. 

Driving Broader Impact

ACE Certified Pros have the expertise necessary to drive change across the multiple levels of health behavior change. While helping individual clients is important, lasting impact often occurs when you also engage their family, friends and community.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a reminder that inclusion matters. Together, we can create physical-activity opportunities that honor culture, strengthen families and improve health equity.