Developing an intervention to address physical activity barriers for African–American women in the deep south (USA). (May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pekmezi, Dori; Marcus, Bess; Meneses, Karen; Baskin, Monica L; Ard, Jamy D; Martin, Michelle Y; Adams, Natasia; Robinson, Cody; Demark-Wahnefried, Wendy
• Is Part Of: Women's health. Volume 9:Number 3(2013)
• Page Start: 301
• Page End: 312
• Publication Date: 2013-05
• Subjects: African–American women -- exercise -- health disparity -- physical activity; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Women -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.2217/whe.13.20
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-5057

Abstract

Aim: To address high rates of inactivity and related chronic diseases among African–American women.Materials & methods: Eleven focus groups on physical activity barriers for African–American women in the deep south (USA) were conducted (n = 56). Feedback guided an intervention development process. The resulting Home-Based Individually Tailored Physical Activity Print intervention was vetted with the target population in a 1-month, single arm, pre–post test demonstration trial (n = 10).Results: Retention was high (90%). Intent-to-treat analyses indicated increases in motivational readiness for physical activity (70% of sample) and physical activity (7-day Physical Activity Recall) from baseline (mean: 89.5 min/week, standard deviation: 61.17) to 1 month (mean: 155 min/week, standard deviation: 100.86). Small improvements in fitness (6-Min Walk Test), weight and psychosocial process measures were also found.Conclusion: Preliminary findings show promise and call for future randomized controlled trials with larger samples to determine efficacy. Such low-cost, high-reach approaches to promoting physical activity have great potential for addressing health disparities and benefiting public health.