"The body is a temple": Using spirituality to motivate African American men to increase healthy behavior

African American men are less likely than White men to meet physical activity recommendations.  A major challenge in efforts to increase physical activity among African American men is motivating them to overcome barriers such as family commitments, work, busy schedules and ambivalence to physical activity. Self-Determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing principles provide guidance on identifying sources of motivation that result from conscious choices and are personally relevant, thereby helping African American men connect physical activity with their broader values and goals. As part of Men on the Move – Nashville, a pilot intervention that enrolled forty African American men ages 30 to 70 (mean age = 47.2), participants completed exercises to help them connect their goals and values to their overall health. Being spiritual and being a good Christian were two of the top goals and values identified by these men: 97.5% (N=39) of men identified being moderately or very spiritual and 85% (N=34) of men identified being moderately or very religious. Furthermore, in follow-up focus groups, participants identified receiving health messages in religious settings or during group sessions as motivation to be healthier. These findings are congruent with other research that highlights the key role spirituality plays in the lives of African American men.  These findings implicate the importance of incorporating spirituality and religion in interventions for African American men. Connecting goals and values, such as spirituality and religion, to health and physical activity can lead to increased and sustained healthy behaviors.