Culturally-Relevant Physical Activity over the Lifecourse and Association with Chronic Disease

BACKGROUND: Culturally-relevant physical activity (PA) such as traditional dance shows significant promise in health promotion. Besides the value of the PA itself, these practices can also include important connections to culture, history, community, family, and the outdoors, promoting health and wellbeing. The primary study goals were to: (1) illuminate trajectories in lifetime participation in four culturally-relevant PA (surfing, outrigger canoe paddling, spearfishing, and hula) and (2) explore factors associated with engagement in these activities over the lifecourse, including gender, race/ethnicity, and chronic disease. METHODS: English-speaking residents in Hawai'i, USA (n = 1066) were recruited from an existing research panel to complete a questionnaire delivered online or by phone. Weighted quasi-Poisson and logistic regression models predicted engagement and self-reported chronic disease, adjusting for race/ethnicity, age, gender, and education. Significance was p<.05. RESULTS: Respondents were 50% female and 50% male. Over their lifetime, 64% of respondents participated in at least one of the four culturally-relevant PAs. Variation in participation was seen by type of culturally-relevant PA and over the lifespan. Engagement was highest during earlier periods of life and tended to decrease over age, but trends varied notably by race/ethnicity, gender, generation, and by the four PA types. For chronic disease, there was a general pattern of lifetime engagement in the four activities being related to lower likelihood of hypertension (with models for paddling and surfing showing significance). Lifetime engagement in surfing was significantly related to lower likelihood of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Engagement in culturally-relevant PA was associated with lower likelihood for chronic disease. Trends varied notably by factors relevant for health promotion, planning, and policy to achieve health equity. KEY MESSAGES: • Engagement in culturally-relevant PA over the lifespan was associated with lower likelihood of chronic disease. Culturally relevant PA, including traditional dance, is relevant in Europe and beyond. • Culturally-relevant PA can engage culture, history, community, family, and the outdoors supporting holistic health and wellbeing. This is an important area of future research and health promotion.