TY - JOUR
T1 - Does weight status influence perceptions of physical activity barriers among African-American women?
AU - Genkinger, Jeanine M.
AU - Jehn, Megan L.
AU - Sapun, Marcella
AU - Mabry, Iris
AU - Young, Deborah Rohm
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Background: Many African-American women fail to participate in regular physical activity. Weight status may influence physical activity barriers. This study examined the frequency and type of barriers. Methods: Participants in this study were enrolled in Project EXE-L (Exercising Ladies Excel), a six-month, church-based, randomized trial of moderate-intensity physical activity based in Baltimore city and county in Maryland. Participants were composed of African-American women who attended one of the participating churches, had friends who were church members, or who lived in neighborhoods surrounding one of the churches. Individuals who were between the ages of 25 and 70 years, were not regularly physically active (defined as not engaging in moderate-intensity activity more than three times per week), and were able to participate in moderate-intensity activity met eligibility criteria to participate in the trial. Barriers to physical activity were evaluated with the Steinhardt/Dishman Barriers for Habitual Physical Activity Scale at baseline. Results: One hundred twenty women were classified as normal weight (body mass index [BMI]: <25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m2), or obese (BMI: ≥30 kg/m2). Obese participants were more likely to report "lack of motivation" as a barrier compared with normal-weight participants (63% vs 31%). Normal-weight and overweight participants were more likely to report no barriers compared with the obese (31%, 0%, 5%, respectively, P<.05). Conclusions: Barriers for African-American women may vary by BMI status. By defining these unique barriers, effective physical activity interventions can be developed.
AB - Background: Many African-American women fail to participate in regular physical activity. Weight status may influence physical activity barriers. This study examined the frequency and type of barriers. Methods: Participants in this study were enrolled in Project EXE-L (Exercising Ladies Excel), a six-month, church-based, randomized trial of moderate-intensity physical activity based in Baltimore city and county in Maryland. Participants were composed of African-American women who attended one of the participating churches, had friends who were church members, or who lived in neighborhoods surrounding one of the churches. Individuals who were between the ages of 25 and 70 years, were not regularly physically active (defined as not engaging in moderate-intensity activity more than three times per week), and were able to participate in moderate-intensity activity met eligibility criteria to participate in the trial. Barriers to physical activity were evaluated with the Steinhardt/Dishman Barriers for Habitual Physical Activity Scale at baseline. Results: One hundred twenty women were classified as normal weight (body mass index [BMI]: <25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m2), or obese (BMI: ≥30 kg/m2). Obese participants were more likely to report "lack of motivation" as a barrier compared with normal-weight participants (63% vs 31%). Normal-weight and overweight participants were more likely to report no barriers compared with the obese (31%, 0%, 5%, respectively, P<.05). Conclusions: Barriers for African-American women may vary by BMI status. By defining these unique barriers, effective physical activity interventions can be developed.
KW - African-American women
KW - Barriers
KW - Obesity
KW - Physical activity
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M3 - Article
C2 - 16599352
AN - SCOPUS:33744983527
SN - 1049-510X
VL - 16
SP - 78
EP - 84
JO - Ethnicity and Disease
JF - Ethnicity and Disease
IS - 1
ER -