Description

The benefits and importance of regular physical activity throughout life and in a variety of ethnicities are well demonstrated, although few people engage in regular physical activity (Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, 2008; Walker, Pullen, Hertzog, Boeckner, & Hageman, 2006). The lack of physical activity among adults is a critical problem not only to individuals, but also to the health care system. For example, physically inactive people are at risk for many chronic diseases and conditions including heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis (Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, 2008). In 2010, the total cost of obesity was estimated to be $147 billion, and other estimated costs were $316 billion for heart disease, $264 billion for cancer, $218 billion for diabetes, and $74 billion for stroke (National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council, 2010). Thus, promoting health by increasing physical activity is a major health promotion objective (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2010). Little is known about physical activity in Korean Americans, a growing population in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010).