Barriers to Physical Activity Among African American Women: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Abstract

A key aspect for researchers to consider when developing culturally appropriate physical activity (PA) interventions for African American (AA) women are the specific barriers AA women face that limit their participation in PA. Identification and critical examination of these barriers is the first step in developing comprehensive culturally relevant approaches to promote PA and help resolve PA-related health disparities in this underserved population. We conducted a systematic integrative literature review to identify barriers to PA among AA women. Five electronic databases were searched, and 42 studies (27 qualitative, 14, quantitative, 1 mixed method) published since 1990 (Range 1998–2013) in English language journals met inclusion criteria for review. Barriers were classified as intrapersonal, interpersonal, or environment/community according to their respective level of influence within our social ecological framework. Intrapersonal barriers included: lack of time, knowledge, and motivation; physical appearance concerns; health concerns; monetary cost of exercise facilities; and tiredness/fatigue. Interpersonal barriers included: family/caregiving responsibilities; lack of social support; and lack of a PA partner. Environmental barriers included: safety concerns; lack of facilities; weather concerns; lack of sidewalks; and lack of physically active AA role models. Results provide key leverage points for researchers to consider when developing culturally relevant PA interventions for AA women.

Environmental and personal correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in African American women: An ecological momentary assessment study

“…While results have been inconsistent overall, some research has found that individuals living in areas with fewer or lower quality settings for PA (e.g., parks, recreation facilities) and poorer infrastructure (e.g., sidewalks) engage in less PA than those residing in areas with fewer of these built environmental barriers (Mama et al 2015;Siceloff, Coulon, and Wilson 2014). Neighborhood social environmental factors, including crime-and trafficrelated safety concerns and unsupportive social norms, may also impede PA and promote SB (Lee et al 2011;Strong et al 2013;Harley et al 2009;Joseph et al 2015), as may insufficient positive social support or negative social support (Baruth et al 2014;Soltero et al 2015).…”

“…Although most studies have examined factors associated with between-person differences in behaviors, little is known about correlates of within-person, daily variations in MVPA and SB , including in African American women. Better understanding of these life circumstances in African American women could help inform more effective interventions (Joseph et al 2015;Kumanyika et al 2007).…”

Learning and Developing Individual Exercise Skills (L.A.D.I.E.S.) for a Better Life: A Church-Based Physical Activity Intervention - Baseline Participant Characteristics

“…Individuals who enrolled in a program focused on physical activity likely have a higher desire for exercise than individuals who opted not to enroll in the program. Given that personal motivation is a common factor for achieving personal goals, 51 individuals with a higher desire for exercise may be more successful in achieving physical activity goals in the program.…”

“…51,[55][56][57][58] In our current study, we have recruited a population that is: highly educated but older than average; primarily obese; and raising children/grandchildren that includes family/caregiving responsibilities. Most participants reported a high desire to exercise (motivation) and perceived social support within and outside of their church settings.…”

“…Social support has been shown to influence success in behavior change, 51 and we deliberately chose to recruit within existing social structures in an attempt to capitalize on the existing social support within groups. Our current study successfully recruited participants who re-Church-based Physical Activity Study -Whitt-Glover et al priate strategies for increasing physical activity in high-risk populations.…”