Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108431

Sonia R. Tinoco, Diabetes Prevention Program, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, 7490 S. Camino de Oeste, Tucson, AZ 85746, 520-879-6172, SoniaRTinoco@pascuayaquitribe.org and J. Kristin Olson-Garewal, MD, Native American Research and Training Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1642 Helen St, Tucson, AZ 85719.

The purpose of this project was to investigate the barriers to regular physical activity among adolescent females from a Southwest Native American Tribe. During this, the first phase of the project, data collection was done through focus groups and surveys. The Focus groups consisted of age-specific groups: 13-15 year olds, 16-18 year olds, 19-22 year olds. The different age groups have been included in order to determine if there is continuity in the barriers to physical activity throughout the lifespan of these young women from youth to adulthood. Their knowledge about their risk for diseases such as diabetes and health benefits of exercise was also explored. In addition, parents, teachers and coaches of these middle and high school aged girls were brought together in focus groups for their input on their daughters' and students' attitudes and behaviors regarding regular physical activity. All group participants and tribal employees were also surveyed about the community resources available to them such as recreation centers, sports organizations and school physical activity programs. The relationship between the resources and the girls' level of activity will be discussed and the results of the focus groups and surveys will be presented.

This study was made possible by a grant from the Diabetes Action Research & Education (DARE) Foundation.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to 1)identify barriers to participation in regular physical activity for adolescent girls in one Southwestern Native American Tribe. And
• consider the role of a community's resources for physical activity (PA) in adolescent girls' attitudes and behaviors regarding regular PA.

Keywords: Obesity, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation