257936 Gender differences in physical activity among U.S. South Asians: A qualitative study

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Swapna Dave, MBBS, MPH , Department of General Internal Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Promila Mehta, MA , Supervisor, Metropolitan Asian Family Services, Chicago, IL
Lynette Craft, PhD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Santosh Kumar, BSc, LLB(Hons), LLM , Metropolitan Asian Family Services, Chicago, IL
Namratha Kandula, MD, MPH , Department of General Internal Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Introduction:

Regular physical activity (PA) can prevent diabetes (DM) and heart disease (CHD). Among U.S. Asians, South Asians (SA) report the least PA and have a disproportionate prevalence of DM and CHD. The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand how gender influences PA in SAs.

Methods:

A bilingual moderator used a semi-structured interview guide to conduct four focus groups with English and Hindi-speaking SA women (n=12) and men (n=14). Focus groups were conducted at a social services organization for SA immigrants. Audio-tapes were transcribed and coded by 2 independent reviewers.

Results:

Participants' were between 18-49 years and 80% were immigrants. All men and 50% women reported some kind of PA to enhance health. Men's definitions of PA were similar to standard exercise definitions- i.e. planned, structured PA. SA women had difficulty defining PA. Men reported doing weightlifting and gym workouts; women mostly reported walking. Although both groups said marriage and children reduced time for PA, men still made time for PA, whereas most women said, “I cannot even think about it.” Men recognized that few SA women exercised and thought that culture and social roles were barriers, “Women are supposed to be either at home or beauty.” Overall, men seemed to have a positive perception of SA women exercising, “They are more confident, physically fit.” Men and women recommended family-based exercise and women's only facilities to engage SA women in PA.

Conclusions: Findings from this study are currently being used to develop community-based PA intervention for SAs.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand how South Asian men and women conceptualize and understand physical activity (PA) and identify the gender influences on PA.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Immigrants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been project coordinator of multiple federally funded grants focusing on immigrant health and disease prevention. I am a physician from India and my work in India is focused on disease prevention. My special interest in Public health is to focus on South Asian health disparities.
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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