205114 Barriers to exercise in four ethnic groups living with chronic illnesses

Monday, November 9, 2009: 5:30 PM

Cristina I. Huebner, MA , Department of Community Programs and Research, Caring Health Center, Springfield, MA
Kathryn M. Orzech, MA , Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
James Vivian, PhD , Department of Psychology, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
Jeffrey Markham Jr., BA , Department of Research and Wellness, Caring Health Center, Springfield, MA
Susan Shaw, PhD , Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Julie Armin, MA , Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Ana Vargas, BA , Department of Research and Wellness, Caring Health Center, Springfield, MA
Victor Reyes , Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Chandy Leverance , Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Phuong Do , Department of Research and Wellness, Caring Health Center, Springfield, MA
BACKGROUND: Physical activity is a well-documented modifiable risk factor for individuals diagnosed with chronic illness.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of community-based wellness programming for diverse populations living with chronic illness.

METHODS: In a four-year, multi-method study, epidemiological surveys were completed by 300 Latino, Vietnamese, African-American and white participants at a federally qualified community health center. In-depth interviews (N=18) and focus groups (N=43) explored patient-identified needs for, barriers to, and beliefs about physical activity. In collaboration with community partners, these data were used to develop an on-site community-based wellness center providing free fitness and wellness education to community members and to create an educational community theater performance.

FINDINGS: Pain, motivation, and dislike of exercise are barriers to physical activity reported by all four groups. Vietnamese patients report the highest adherence to their providers' exercise recommendations (78.2%) and the fewest barriers overall. Increased Vietnamese adherence, including daily walking in community parks, and qualitative data suggest that adherence to physical activity aids stress-reduction and overall wellbeing.

DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATIONS: There may be culturally distinctive perceptions of what constitutes exercise, and adherence to physical activity appears to increase when it is culturally appropriate, pain free, and integrated with stress-reduction practices. Reduced barriers to exercise for Vietnamese participants may be attributed to cultural practices in combination with better health status and lower BMI. Health care providers may want to prescribe physical activity, like medicine, giving specific instructions while considering patients' cultural preferences. Community wellness programs must also integrate the cultural beliefs and practices of its participants.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify culturally specific barriers to physical activity 2.Describe the role that culture and the integration of stress-reduction practices may play in adherence to physical activity 3.Discuss how pain, motivation, and dislike of exercise impacts adherence to physical activity among patients with chronic illness 4. Discuss how specific prescription of physical activity may improve patient knowledge of and adherence to physical activity recommendations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: B.A. Medical Anthropology M.A. Body-mind awareness and dance/movement Program Director of Research and Wellness, Caring Health Center
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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