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

Abstract #117563

Edward Wang, PhD¹, JoEllen Wilbur, PhD, RN, FAAN¹, Judith McDevitt, PhD, APN², Diana L. M. Ingram, MPH², and Hyeonkyeong Lee, MS¹. (1) College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 South Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60612, 312-413-0148, chewang@uic.edu, (2) Public Health, Mental Health, and Administrative Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, 845 S. Damen Ave (MC 802), Chicago, IL 60612

Because of its close linkages to obesity, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, inactivity has been targeted as a major public health challenge. African American (AA) women, in particular, share a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), for which inactivity is a significant risk factor. There has been some evidence that access to exercise facilities, high levels of neighborhood safety, and living in compact and walkable neighborhoods may increase physical activity. Aspects of the built and social neighborhood environments may be particularly salient for AA women, particularly those with fewer socioeconomic advantages, because they are more likely to live in racially segregated environments with fewer health-promoting resources and compromised safety. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between physical activity and neighborhood characteristics among midlife AA women. The sample includes 281 sedentary community-based AA women aged 40-65 years (mean 48.5 years) with no major signs/symptoms of CV disease; no history of myocardial infarction, stroke, or Type 1 diabetes; and not on beta-blocker medication. The results show that women who perceived their neighborhoods “extremely safe” were more likely to engage in vigorous physical activities than those who rated “not at all safe” (36.4% vs. 22.7%). Women residing in walking friendly neighborhoods (less traffic, well maintained sidewalks, well lighted streets) were also more likely to do vigorous physical activities (38.1% vs. 10.7%, respectively). There was no difference in moderate physical activities. Overall, women living in favorable neighborhoods had lower BMI, fewer metabolic syndromes, and better cardiovascular fitness classification.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the learner will be able to
• Assess the effects of neighborhood environment on physical activity in walking in midlife African American women.
• Examine the neighborhood impact on cardiovascular risks among midlife African American women.

Keywords: Environment, Physical Activity

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.

Built Environment Institute Roundtable: Physical and Social Environment's Impact on Health

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA