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

Abstract #111764

Patricia A. Sharpe, PhD, MPH¹, Michelle L. Granner, PhD, MS¹, Brent Hutto, MSPH¹, Lara Peck, MPH¹, Sara Wilcox, PhD², and Cheryl L. Addy, PhD³. (1) Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, 730 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208, 803 777-4253, sharpep@gwm.sc.edu, (2) Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, (3) Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208

Purpose: Assess African American and Caucasian women's physical activity perceptions and behaviors Methods:List-assisted telephone survey was conducted with adults 18+ years old in May/June 2003. African American (n=451) and Caucasian (n=755) women are the focus of this report. Participants: Mean age=43; 91%>high school education; 60%employed. Analysis: Bivariate associations were assessed with Chi-squared and t test statistics. Adjusted logistic regression models to predict physical activity level were computed separately for African American and Caucasian women using PROC MULTILOG with SUDAAN. Results: 41% African American and 52% Caucasian women met recommendations for moderate/ vigorous physical activity (X2=17.6,p<.01). African American women had lower self-efficacy for exercise (t =-6.1,p<.01) and less access to indoor walking facilities (63% versus 71% Caucasians, p<.05); more often reported sidewalks in neighborhood (45% versus 28% Caucasians, p<.01) and good street lighting (61% versus 50% Caucasian). Among trail users (n=560) African American women used trails more days per month (8.6 versus 6.6,t=2.6,p<.01). Having children at home predicted higher physical activity for African American (X2=6.7,p<.01) but not Caucasian women. No difference was seen for preference to walk alone/with someone, walking as first activity choice, available exercise partner, opportunities to be active, adequate exercise areas, knowledge of walking and bicycling routes, safety of trails, neighborhood lighting, or seeing exercise ads. Significant predictors of meeting physical activity recommendations for African American women in the final multivariate logistic regression model were having children at home (OR=2.0,CI=1.3,3.3) and high self-efficacy (3rd quartile compared to 1st) (OR=2.5,CI=1.8,3.6); for Caucasians, only high self-efficacy was significant (OR=3.4,CI=2.5,4.6).

Learning Objectives: The session participant will be able to

• Describe similarities and differences between African American and Caucasian women's perceptions and behaviors related to physical activity
• Describe the most significant correlates of meeting current physical activity recommendations for African American and Caucasian women in a southeastern telephone survey.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Women

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