A comparative analysis of physical activity patterns and health status among African American and White adults with disabilities

Background: With proven evidence on the benefits of physical activity, minority groups and persons with disabilities are more likely to be physically inactive than the general population. Specifically, African Americans (AA) in general, tend to have higher rates of physical inactivity. Although this finding is well documented among the AA general population, there is a dearth of literature which examines this same trend among AA adults with a disability. Objective: The purpose of this article is to study the patterns of physical activity and health status among AA adults with disabilities in comparison to their White counterparts. Methods: Data from the CDC's 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey was used to conduct comparative analyses of physical activity patterns and health status among 7,315 Non-Hispanic AA (NHAA) and 82,482 Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) who self-reported a disability. Results: Significant association (p<.05) were found across racial groups, physical activity patterns and health status. NHAA were less likely to engage in physical activity and less likely to meet recommendations for moderate and vigorous physical activity than their NHW counterpart. NHAA were also less likely to meet physical activity recommendations as their days of healthy days-health-related quality of life decreased in comparison to NHW respondents. Conclusion: Efforts should be made to improve the physical activity patterns of AAs with disabilities which would be instrumental in improving the overall health of these individuals.