A Will Without a Way: Barriers and Facilitators to Exercise During Pregnancy of Low-Income, African American Women

Abstract

The objective of the authors in this study was to identify pregnant, low-income African American women's barriers and facilitators to exercise during pregnancy. A series of six focus groups with pregnant African American women were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Focus group transcripts were qualitatively analyzed for major themes and independently coded for barriers and facilitators to exercise during pregnancy. A total of 34 pregnant, African American women participated in six focus groups from June through October of 2007. The majority of women were single (94%), had only a high school education (67%), received Medicaid (100%) and had a mean body mass index of 33 kg/m(2). All participants believed that exercise was beneficial during their pregnancy. However, participants faced multiple barriers including: (1) individual, (2) information, (3) resource, and (4) socio-cultural. African American women also described two facilitators to increase exercise during pregnancy: (1) group exercise classes, and (2) increasing the number of safe, low-cost exercise facilities in their communities. African American women living in low socioeconomic communities face several barriers to exercise during pregnancy. Targeted interventions to overcome barriers and facilitate exercise for this patient population should focus on increasing education from providers regarding the type and frequency of exercise recommended during pregnancy, enhancing social support networks with group exercise programs, and providing affordable and convenient locations to exercise.

Designing Culturally Relevant Physical Activity Programs for African-American Women: A Framework for Intervention Development

“…Group-based exercise sessions (i.e., walking, Zumba ® , cycling) represent an ideal strategy for researchers to accomplish this. Group-based exercise sessions also provide the opportunity for AA women to engage in PA with women who they perceive as similar or “like” themselves (which is an established motivator for PA among AA women; [40, 58, 104, 105]), while enhancing social support, self-efficacy, and self-regulatory skills for PA. For women who are unable to attend group-based sessions due to family, work, and/or community commitments, home-based exercise videos and/or demonstration manuals represent an ideal option, as they can provide women with experience of performing a variety of activities while allowing for flexibility of participant schedules.…”

Community-based dietary and physical activity interventions in low socioeconomic groups in the UK: A mixed methods systematic review

“…Issues surrounding information, family and work commitments, costs, social influences and understanding health information were also identified in a recent review examining barriers and facilitators to the implementation of community-based lifestyle interventions among black and minority ethnic groups in the UK . Lack of information and financial and neighbourhood resources, and group exercise and affordable and accessible facilities have been identified respectively as barriers and facilitators of physical activity among low-SES pregnant AfricanAmerican women (Krans and Chang, 2011). Another recent review found insufficient information, perceptions of control over health and concerns over personal safety to be barriers to physical activity in South Asian older adults (Horne and Tierney, 2012).…”

Assessment of Active Play, Inactivity and Perceived Barriers in an Inner City Neighborhood

“…It is not surprising that financial concerns can prevent children from participating in aerobic activities, as this barrier has been identified by national studies and studies of similar neighborhoods. 29, 32,33 For example, when parents are making inexpensive child care arrangements, they are often happy to find a safe place for their children. Understandably, parents with limited options may not prioritize active play when they are balancing safety and financial concerns.…”