“30 Minutes for Your Health”: Development of a Culturally-Tailored Physical Activity DVD for the Bangladeshi Community

Background:  High rates of diabetes among Bangladeshi immigrants in the U.S. and U.K. have been documented.  A recent NIH- and CDC-funded study evaluating diabetic management practices among this community revealed that 75% (n=118/158) of participants did not meet current recommendations for weekly physical activity (PA).  A qualitative sub-study was then conducted to better understand factors impacting PA among Bangladeshis in NYC, revealing important cultural- and religious-norms that often prohibited women, in particular, from engaging in structured PA.

Methods:  As a result of focus group findings, Community Health Workers (CHWs)  and community partners developed and produced an in-language, culturally-tailored physical activity DVD targeting Bangladeshi women entitled, “30 Minutes for Your Health.”  To our knowledge, this is the first Bengali physical activity DVD produced in the US.  The DVD features women of varied age and physical fitness, both dressed in cultural garb.  The DVD was preliminarily piloted with a group of n = 16 women who are members of a Bangladeshi women’s group collective in NYC. 

Results:  Acceptability and cultural appropriateness were rated favorably; 80% noted that they had never previously purchased a workout DVD.  Additionally, qualitative feedback helped to inform the design of DVD cover and materials.  Final results will include data from an additional DVD pilot session.   

Conclusions:   Current policies and programs promoting physical activity to the general population often do not take into account important cultural and religious norms of many immigrant communities in the US.  Engagement of CHWs and community partners in tailoring strategies and approaches is imperative.