Neighborhood disadvantage, physical activity barriers, and physical activity among African American breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Background In view of evidence that African American cancer survivors experience the greatest challenges in maintaining adequate levels of physical activity, this cross-section study was designed to determine whether individual and residential environment characteristics are associated with physical activity in this population. Methods A total of 275 breast cancer survivors completed self-report items measuring sociodemographic variables, physical activity, and select barriers to physical activity in Spring of 2012. Neighborhood disadvantage variables were extracted from national databases. Regression models were computed to assess relationships. Results Traditional correlates of smoking status and the presence of health complications were associated with physical activity. In addition, the relative number of renters versus homeowners in one’s neighborhood was associated with lower levels of physical activity in the context of individual level barriers (i.e., interest and space), which were also associated with lower levels of physical activity. Discussion Higher renter rates and individual barriers both contribute to lower levels of physical activity in African American breast cancer survivors. These data suggest that the potential for constant residential turnover (via rentership) and perceived barriers may increase physical inactivity even where facilities may be available.

Determinants of adherence to physical activity guidelines among overweight and obese African American breast cancer survivors: implications for an intervention approach

“…Younger women reported higher mean scores for having a lack of time and energy than did older women; less educated women reported higher mean scores for feeling discouraged and having fear of injury, equipment, facilities and good health; while obese women had a higher mean score for feeling discouraged and having a lack of facilities. Another study that utilized the same group of participants to examine the association between neighborhood characteristics and PA (Jones and Paxton 2015), revealed that median household income and the percentage of households who rent were associated with PA. Increase in median household income resulted in increase in PA MET-minutes/week; and when the percentage of households who rent increases, the PA MET-minutes/week decreased. Diggins et al (2016) reported that 40.2% AA BCSs engaged in PA.…”

Barriers to physical activity and healthy diet among breast cancer survivors: A multilevel perspective

“…Although survivors seem to perceive barriers to health behaviours across multiple levels, only a handful of studies have sought to examine whether the existence of barriers at a specific level influences survivors’ actual health behaviours (Ottenbacher et al, 2011; Jones & Paxton, 2015; Oyekanmi & Paxton, 2014; the latter two studies used the same sample). For example, breast cancer survivors perceiving barriers at the social- or environmental-level (e.g., ‘no one to exercise with’, ‘nowhere to do it’), as well as those at the individual-level (e.g., ‘not sure what to do’, ‘don’t want to get sore’, ‘no willpower’) reported fewer minutes of self-reported physical activity (occupational and leisure physical activity/week) than did those who did not report these barriers (Ottenbacher et al, 2011).…”

“…For example, breast cancer survivors perceiving barriers at the social- or environmental-level (e.g., ‘no one to exercise with’, ‘nowhere to do it’), as well as those at the individual-level (e.g., ‘not sure what to do’, ‘don’t want to get sore’, ‘no willpower’) reported fewer minutes of self-reported physical activity (occupational and leisure physical activity/week) than did those who did not report these barriers (Ottenbacher et al, 2011). Also, besides ‘lack of interest’, ‘lack of facilities/space’ was associated with fewer minutes of self-reported physical activity (combined mild, moderate, and vigorous/week) among African American breast cancer survivors (Jones & Paxton, 2015). These results imply that not only individual- but also higher-level barriers should be considered when designing an intervention that aims to promote breast cancer survivors’ physical activity.…”

Breaking Up Sedentary Behavior

“…22, 23 Understanding the perceptions of prolonged sitting in African American breast cancer survivors may help to understand the unique opportunities and potential challenges that will need to be considered prior to developing interventions to reduce prolonged sitting.…”