Leveraging Household Structure for Increasing Adult Physical Activity in a Low-Income, African American Community. Issue 4 (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bernhart, John A.; Ylitalo, Kelly R.; Umstattd Meyer, M. Renée; Doyle, Eva I.; Wilkinson, Lindsay R.; Stone, Kahler W.
• Is Part Of: Health promotion practice. Volume 21:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 582
• Page End: 590
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: aging -- African Americans minority health -- physical activity/exercise -- health disparities; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- United States -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/1524839918814731
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-8399

Abstract

Health behavior changes often require focusing on factors beyond the individual, particularly in low-income and underresourced areas. The purpose of this article was to assess associations between household structure and adult physical activity levels. Data were collected using Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response methodology to administer a household survey ( n = 100). Household structure was calculated from summing the number of adults (⩾18 years) and children (<18 years) reported living in the house. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form. Adults living in households with two or more adults reported more MET (metabolic equivalent of task) minutes of physical activity per week than adults from households with only one adult. Adults living in households with two or more adults were twice as likely to meet aerobic guidelines for physical activity compared to adults living in households with only adult. Findings suggest the need for developing ecologic approaches in low-income communities to increase social support for physical activity in adults.