Impact of voluntary participation in a community fitness center on the health and well-being of African American women over 40 years of age

Problem: Poor personal health behaviors such as sedentary lifestyle and calorie dense diets are well documented to result in obesity. For African American women, obesity is endemic and the public health impact is significant. Studies suggest that African American women across all age, occupation and income groups are less likely to participate in leisure time physical activity. This behavior may act as a barrier to health promotion and maintain health disparities among this underserved population.

Objective: To profile primarily African American women over 40 years of age who voluntarily attended a community fitness center located in an urban, low income neighborhood of Philadelphia and better understand the attitudes, behaviors and sense of well-being that motivated this poorly studied population to pursue greater physical activity and related health outcomes.

Research Methods: Program evaluation of this community fitness effort included physical assessment such as BMI and circumference measurement, monthly tracking of exercise visits, and completion of a health related quality of life (HR QOL) survey (Short Form 36). Eighty eight women with a mean BMI of 33.87 participated from January 2005 until December 2006, with varying periods of involvement. Each woman completed the SF 36 form at the initial assessment and after 3 months of participation. Statistical techniques were applied to define the significant differences among participants.

Expected Outcomes: These women appeared ready to change, given their voluntary participation. Commitment to exercise is expected to improve both physical and emotional well-being, as reflected in the HR QOL scores. The health policy implication is to promote health equity among this high risk group that can be generalized to address unmet needs of other populations.