Abstract
Role of health hardiness in physical activity among middle-aged and older African American Men
Bobby Wells II, MPH, Jennifer A. Hartfield, PhD, MPH, MCHES and Derek M Griffith, PhD
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
Health hardiness is the ability to overcome barriers to health by taking control, remaining committed, and accepting the challenge rather than viewing it as a threat. Little is known about health hardiness and its association with physical activity among African American men. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between health hardiness and African American men’s rates of physical activity, and to determine if these rates vary by age and marital status. Using data from a 2015 survey of 251 African American men ages 29-68, we examined the relationship between rates of moderate to vigorous physical activity and health hardiness. We hypothesized health hardiness’ association with physical activity would be the same for the men regardless of age, marital status, home ownership, and income. Using multiple linear regression, we found that health hardiness was associated with moderate and vigorous physical activity for African American men. In subgroup analysis by age, we found that health hardiness was not significant for men 29-39, but it was significant for men 40 and older. Marital status subgroup analysis revealed health hardiness was significantly associated with physical activity for single men, but was not significantly associated with physical activity for married men. We discuss these findings in the context of research highlighting that age and role-related strains strain are barriers to African American men’s health. These findings suggest that health hardiness may vary by key demographic factors and that it might be a novel factor to consider in promoting physical activity.
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related research Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Abstract
Developing mHealth weight management programs for African American men: A qualitative study
Delores C.S. James, PhD, RDN and Cedric Harville II, MPH
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
Introduction: The high ownership of smartphones and the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among African American men (AAM) provide a unique opportunity to design mHealth weight management programs targeted to this population. This qualitative study explored possible features for a mHealth weight management program for AAM.
Methods: Twenty-seven men in nine focus group triads (FGT) participated in the study. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Mean age was 40.07±15.18. Forty-eight percent were currently trying to lose weight. Men owned smartphones (59%), laptops (59%), and tablets (33%). Most used Facebook (78%) and believed it to be a good source of social support. “Everybody is on Facebook.” “It’s like they eat and sleep with it.” Most (67%) had downloaded a health/fitness app in the past 30 days. Men wanted a smartphone app that synced with a companion website. “I like it when you have the same thing on your computer.” “The apps should have the essentials because the screen on the phone is smaller.” Men sent and received approximately 18 texts per day, and were receptive to receiving up to 10 texts/day. “I like text messages as long as they are short and informative.” “I would like to have a personal coach send me motivational texts to keep me going.” Most reported that they would be willing to participate in a weight management intervention that lasted about six weeks. “I could sign up for six weeks.” “Six weeks will give me an idea of if I like it.” A few stated that they would do it for six months to 12 months if they were “getting good results.” “If I'm getting results, then I will be motivated to do it longer.”
Conclusions: AAM may be receptive to a six-week mHealth weight management program that include Facebook, apps, and texting.
Chronic disease management and prevention Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related education
Abstract
Adapting the National Diabetes Prevention Program for Men: Qualitative findings on the significance of an all-male program
Alexandra Kamler, MPH1, Linda Weiss, PhD1, Lindsey Realmuto, MPH1, Tiffany Gary-Webb, PhD, MHS2, Jennifer Lukin3 and Elizabeth A. Walker, PhD, RN, CDE3
(1)The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY, (2)University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, (3)Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
Objective: The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) has been effectively translated to various settings, however enrollment among men and lower-income populations is low. This pilot study examined outcomes from an adaptation of the NDPP tailored for men from low-income communities in New York City.
Study design: Working with an advisory panel, investigators developed a novel NDPP curriculum intended for an all-male class. Male coaches trained in the NDPP implemented the adapted curriculum at 5 NYC Parks and Recreation sites in four distinct neighborhoods. Here, we describe findings from nine interviews and one focus group (n =7) conducted with participants after the program ended.
Findings: Interview and focus group participants described the strengths and challenges of the pilot adaptation, and the value of the all-male aspect of the program. Participants reported learning about nutrition and changes to their dietary habits. They felt the male-only adaptation allowed for more open, in-depth conversations on eating habits, weight loss, body image, and masculinity: “It made us talk more openly about our issues…I think that having women there we wouldn’t be as open because you are ashamed of certain things in front of women.” Recommendations for improving the program included making the sessions more interactive, such as adding in exercise or a cooking demonstration, and including more culturally appropriate examples in the curriculum.
Conclusions: Findings from the pilot suggest this NDPP adaptation was acceptable to men and facilitated behavior changed and discussions that might not have occurred in a mixed-gender group.
Chronic disease management and prevention Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related education
Abstract
Examining physical activity among overweight/obese African American men: Preliminary findings from the Healthy Eating Activity Rest Together (HEART) Matters Study
Larrell Wilkinson, PhD, MSPH, CHES1, Eric Plaisance, PhD, ACSM-CES, CSCS1, Brandon Beamon, MS1, Ashley Conoway, MS2, Nashira Brown1 and Patrick Benjamin1
(1)University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, (2)University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
APHA 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo (Nov. 4 - Nov. 8)
Increasing African American (AA) men’s performance of public health recommendations for physical activity (PA) is critical to improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities. However, there is a paucity of research-based interventions to improve levels of physical activity among AA men. The Healthy Eating Activity Rest Together (HEART) Matters Study is a community-based pilot program designed to increase performance of physical activity to recommended levels (30+ minutes per day, 150+ minutes per week) among overweight/obese African American (AA) men. Currently, 60 men ages 24 – 75 are enrolled in the program, within in two arms of the study. ARM1 underwent a submaximal exercise test, blood draw, wore an accelerometer for 14 days, completed a 14 day fruit/vegetable log, and completed the HEART Matters survey at baseline. ARM2 participants, who were normally older or suffered from a chronic condition, completed the HEART Matters survey at baseline. On average, participants reported a baseline frequency of engaging in 30+ minutes of moderate – vigorous physical activity 3.22 times per week. Employing formative evaluation, we implemented strategies to address barriers to performing PA among AA men, while adjusting protocols to more effectively coach participants. Participants will be resurveyed and receive post-intervention testing after 9 months. 2013 AHA/ACC Guideline on Lifestyle Management to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk suggests that adults increase their physical activity. Continued community-engaged research is necessary to support efforts to improve individual and contextual factors related to performing PA among AA men.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Chronic disease management and prevention Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Social and behavioral sciences