Family Cohesion and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Among Mexican Origin Adolescents: A Longitudinal Perspective.

Background: Existing racial/ethnic disparities in physical activity during childhood increase Hispanics' risk of developing chronic diseases, which serves to increase health disparities. This study examined associations of family cohesion and conflict with self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), controlling for psychosocial covariates such as subjective social status, anxiety, and sensation-seeking.

Methods: 1000 Mexican origin adolescents reported their MVPA levels approximately 2 years apart.

Smoking Initiation Among Mexican Heritage Youth and the Roles of Family Cohesion and Conflict.

Purpose: High levels of family conflict increase the risk for early smoking initiation and smoking escalation among adolescents, whereas high levels of warmth and cohesion in the family are protective against smoking initiation. However, little is known about the associations between changes in family function during adolescence on subsequent smoking initiation among Mexican heritage adolescents.

Methods: In 2005-2006, 1,328 Mexican heritage adolescents aged 11-14 years enrolled in a cohort study to examine nongenetic and genetic factors associated with cigarette experimentation.