Interventions Promoting Physical Activity in African American Women

Abstract

Background Physical inactivity significantly impacts mortality worldwide. Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. African American women in the U.S. have the highest rates of physical inactivity when compared to other gender/ethnic groups.1 A paucity of research promoting physical activity (PA) in African American women has been previously identified. The purpose of this review was to identify intervention strategies and outcomes in studies designed to promote PA in African American women. Methods Interventions that promoted PA in African American women published between 2000 and May 2015 were included. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed in Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, and MEDLINE Complete databases. Data were abstracted and synthesized to examine interventions, study designs, theoretical frameworks, and measures of PA. Results Mixed findings (both significant and nonsignificant) were identified. Interventions included faith-based, group-based, and individually focused programs. All studies (n = 32) included measures of PA; among the studies, self-report was the predominant method for obtaining information. Half of the 32 studies focused on PA, and the remaining studies focused on PA and nutrition. Most studies reported an increase in PA or adherence to PA. This review reveals promising strategies for promoting PA. Conclusions Future studies should include long-term follow-up, larger sample sizes, and objective measures of PA. Additional research promoting PA in African American women is warranted, particularly in studies that focus on increasing PA in older African American women.

Attitudes Surrounding a Community-Based Fitness Intervention at an Urban FQHC

“…It has been shown in the literature that social support is a motivating factor for AA women regarding participation in group physical interventions. 13 The social cohesion of our population could have contributed to the high adherence observed.…”

“…11 Sociocultural factors play an important, positive role in exercise adherence 12 ; therefore, a community needs survey was performed and identified nutrition, exercise, and physical activity (PA) as very important aspects of health and wellness to community members. Respondents desired aerobic activities, specifically indicating "urban" or "soul" (synchronized, choreographed, social dance with cultural roots in Africa and the Caribbean) line dancing classes, 13,14 confirmed by additional community meetings.…”

Chemical/straightening and other hair product usage during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood among African-American women: potential implications for health

“…Latent classes should be explored in future studies to identify whether consistent patterns emerge across other populations of African-American women. Furthermore, health behaviors/outcomes associated with hair product usage in prior literature (i.e., physical activity, early menarche, and fibroids [10][11][12]57 ) could be investigated across the classes. Classes may better capture the full range of exposure beyond ever/never use.…”

Better Together? A Pilot Study of Romantic Partner Influence on Exercise Adherence and Cardiometabolic Risk in African-American Couples

“…Although exercise and PA interventions in AAs have been successful in improving PA [15][16][17][18][19], there are still important understudied areas that remain. Namely, existing literature shows a growing number of PA and exercise intervention studies specific to AA women [15,17,19].…”