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

Abstract #115283

Valerie Lawson, MS¹, James H. Rimmer, PhD², Amy Rauworth, MS¹, Edward Wang, PhD¹, Ben Gerber, MD³, and Paul Heckerling, MD³. (1) Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608-6904, 312/996-0907, vlawson@uic.edu, (2) Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608-6904, (3) Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 South Wood, Chicago, IL 60608-6904

We developed and piloted a personalized exercise program (PEP) for a predominantly African American group of extremely obese (BMI = 46.8 kg.m²) adults with significant mobility limitations (n=91). The focus of the intervention was on setting realistic, achievable goals while finding solutions to overcome personal and environmental barriers to participation (e.g., program cost, illness, psychological discomfort exercising in front of others). By assessing a combination of factors, including the person's level of response, motivational level (readiness to change), physical activity profile, health and mobility limitations, and barriers to participation, the program was customized to each person's specific needs, interests, and circumstances. Participants were separated into three categories based on their response level: Moderate to High Responder, Low Responder, and Non-Responder. After six months, attendance and participation were recorded. 51% of the sample fell into the moderate to high responder group; 24% fell into the Low responder group; and 25% fell into the Non-Responder group. Moderate to high responders initiated contact with the project coordinator, wore their pedometers regularly, sought additional information from the project team, tracked their steps and submitted their records of physical activity. The low and non-responders did not return phone calls, did not attend monthly support groups, avoided conversations about becoming healthy, and expressed their inability to manage pain which impeded daily activity. Future research must begin to explore ways to target high to moderate responders prior to an intervention so that resources can be directed at individuals with the highest likelihood for completion.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session the participant (learner) will be able to describe the PEP model, identify characteristics of responders and non-responders, and be able to apply the model to other population groups.

Keywords: Disability, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.