222218 Assesment of barriers to physical activity among Chinese American youth in NYC

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Xiaojie (Diana) Zhou , Research & Evaluation, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York, NY
Shao-Chee Sim, PhD , Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York, NY
Loretta Au, MD , Department of Pediatrics, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York, NY
Laureen Hom, MPH , Research & Evaluation, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York, NY
Susan Yee, MA , Department of Pediatrics, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York, NY
Background: The lack of physical activity among Chinese American youth in New York City (NYC) Chinatown has become a growing concern for the community, as it is associated with childhood obesity, and early onset cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, limited information exists on the barriers to physical activity among Chinese American youth in NYC. The objective of the study is to identify the barriers to physical activity specific to this community.

Methods: Surveys were administered to 100 parents/primary caretakers of children aged 3-11 and 100 youth aged 12-18 at Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. In addition, one focus group with mothers of children aged 6-11 in Chinese and two focus groups with youth aged 12-18 were conducted in English.

Results: Survey and focus group findings indicate that time spent on competing activities, physical environment, cost and lack of knowledge about available resources were key barriers to physical activity. Youth showed more interest in spending their free time on the computer. Parents/primary caregivers put significant pressure on youth to spend time on schoolwork rather than physical activity. Chinatown lacks accessible public space and facilities for physical activity, and parent/caregivers were concerned about safety and supervision in existing areas. Parents had limited knowledge of existing resources, and cost was a contributing obstacle, especially for activities requiring special equipment and facilities.

Discussion: The findings will inform the development of initiatives and activities that will improve access, affordability and use of physical activity resources in the NYC Chinatown community.

Learning Areas:
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Identify the barriers to physical activity among Chinese American youth in NYC from both parent/primary caretaker and youth perspectives Analyze unique cultural perspectives of Chinese American parents and youth in their approaches to healthy lifestyles Formulate programmatic initiatives to improve access, affordability and use of physical activity resources in Manhattan’s Chinatown

Keywords: Asian Americans, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I supported the evaluation of this program.
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.