Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors of Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Adults

The study purpose was to determine (a) health-promoting lifestyle behaviors of Spanish-speaking Hispanics, (b) differences in these behaviors by demographics and acculturation, and (c) the extent to which perceived health status, demographics, and acculturation explain health-promoting lifestyles. The Spanish-language Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) and other instruments were completed by a convenience sample of 545 Hispanic adults recruited in several midwestern communities. Of the six behavioral dimension scores of the HPLPII, scores were lowest for physical activity and highest for spiritual growth. They differed by age, gender, employment status, marital status, and acculturation. Perceived health status, demographics, and acculturation explained 12% of the variance in overall health-promoting lifestyle. These findings can help guide culturally appropriate interventions designed to improve this population's overall health.