Asian midlife women's attitudes toward physical activity

Although benefits of physical activity on women's health are widely known, Asian midlife women' participation in physical activity is lower than their White counterparts. Asian cultural heritage might be a reason for the low participation rate, but little is still known about how Asian culture influences Asian midlife women's attitudes toward physical activity, subsequently making them physically inactive. The purpose of this study was to explore Asian midlife women's attitudes toward physical activity using a feminist perspective. A total of 17 Asian midlife women were recruited through Internet communities (ICs) for midlife women and ICs for Asians in the U.S. A 6-month qualitative online forum was conducted using 17 topics on attitudes toward physical activity. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that the women's definition of physical activity was much broader than health care providers; the women perceived even breathing and thinking as physical activity. Also, the women placed their family in the highest priority in their life, subsequently making physical activity in the lowest. Third, the women reported difficulties in finding time for themselves in their busy daily life. Finally, the women perceived the importance of physical activity in decreasing health risks, but they needed social supports for family responsibilities to participate in physical activity. Health care providers and researchers need to consider that Asian women's definition of physical activity would be different from theirs, and that social supports (e.g., child care, transportation, etc.) are essential in increasing their physical activity.