The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56565

Deborah Rohm Young, PhD, Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, 2312 HHP Bldg, College Park, MD 20742, 301-405-2496, dryoung@wam.umd.edu and Carolyn C Voorhees, PhD, Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, 2312 HHP, College Park, MD 20742.

Background: African American women are at risk for chronic diseases for which regular physical activity can provide benefits. This group, however, remains predominately sedentary. Little work has been undertaken to understand the multiple factors that influence the physical activity levels of African American women. The purpose of this study was to determine associations among sociocultural and environmental factors and physical activity level in urban African American women. Methods: An interview-administered survey consisting of demographic, personal, social, and physical environmental factors was given to 234 African American women living in Baltimore, MD. Physical activity level was determined from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System questions. Women were categorized into inactive, insufficiently active, and regularly active categories. Results: 21% of the women were regularly active, 61% insufficiently active, and 18% inactive. Those who were partnered (OR: 0.4, CI: 0.2, 0.9) and who had no children (OR: 0.4; CI: 0.2, 1.0) were less likely to engage in some activity. Inactive women were more likely to know people who exercised compared with those who participated in some physical activity (ORs: 0.2 – 0.3). Those who belonged to community groups were more likely to be inactive (OR: 0.4, CI: 0.2, 0.9) compared to those meeting current recommendations. Women with fewer social roles were more likely to meet current activity recommendations (OR: 2.4, CI: 1.2, 5.1). The physical environment factors were not associated with physical activity level. Conclusions: Intervention development should continue to include intrapersonal and interpersonal strategies that African American women identify as influencing their physical activity levels.

Learning Objectives:

The participant will be able to:
• Recognize correlates of physical activity for African American women.
• Understand issues potentially important for informing the development of physical activity interventions for African American women.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.