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

Abstract #117832

Deree Vance, Tougaloo College, 500 East County LIne Rd., Tougaloo, MS 39211, 601 212-8124, deree_vance@yahoo.com and Thomas M. Lasater, PhD, Institute for Community Health Promotion, Brown University, 1 Hoppin St., Coro 4-West, Providence, RI 02903.

BACKGROUND: Despite all of the benefits of leading a physically active lifestyle, obesity and its related diseases are sweeping the country. Minority groups are suffering the most from this disparity including Black women, who are facing numerous challenges to being physically active. This analysis identifies barriers, facilitators, and innovative actions taken for physical activity among Black women enrolled in SisterTalk. METHODS: Fifty-five randomly selected, audio- recorded interviews were reviewed from SisterTalk for identifiers of barriers, facilitators, and innovative actions. These criteria were then scored according to frequency. RESULTS: Of the barriers to physical activity that were identified, 65% were personal barriers, 30% were environmental barriers, and 5% were other barriers. The step counter was the most identified facilitator and walking with the children as well as utilizing existing physical resources in the workplace, were the most identified innovative actions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can be used to develop a tailored weight management program. This tailored program makes the process real for the individual. Empowering them to take control of their own lifestyles, with the overall focus being combating obesity and its related diseases.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the audience should be able to

• Identify barriers and facilitators to physical activity that affect thier own lives.
• Create innovative ideas towards combatting their physical activity barriers.
• Evaluate their current lifestyle and assess ways of adding more physical activity when time is not abundant.

Keywords: 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.