Social Support and Physical Activity Among American Indians in Oklahoma: Results From a Community‐based Participatory Research Study

Abstract

Purpose Little is known about the contribution of social support to physical activity (PA) behavior among American Indians (AIs). This community‐based participatory research study examined the prevalence of and associations between different types of PA social support and PA among AIs in rural Oklahoma. Methods Our tribal‐academic partnership surveyed AI adults (N = 513) living within the tribal jurisdictional areas of 2 tribal nations. We used the Physical Activity Social Support (PASS) scale to assess 3 types of PA social support and Poisson regression to investigate associations between PASS types and self‐reported PA behavior. Findings Over a third of participants perceived high levels of PA social support from friends (37%), family (35%), and overall (34%), yet only 29% reported regular PA (ie, 150 minutes or more weekly). Participants who exercised with pets/other were significantly more likely to achieve regular PA than those who exercised alone (PR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4‐2.9). Although not significant, compared with those reporting no/low support, participants with high friend PASS (PR 1.2, 95%: CI 0.9‐1.6), medium family PASS (PR 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9‐1.7), and overall PASS (PR 1.1, 95% CI: 0.8‐1.6) were more likely to report regular PA. Conclusions The majority of participants did not meet current recommendations for PA behavior, which underscores the ongoing need for PA effective interventions among AIs living in rural areas. Results suggest that exercising with pets/other could be an important factor for future intervention. Further research is needed to elucidate determinants of PA and test interventions to increase PA among AIs.

Development and evaluation of a physical activity intervention informed by participatory research- a feasibility study

“…Development of group skills strengthened individuals' faith in their own abilities and boosted their self-confidence, which successively led to personal empowerment. This is in line with previous studies describing social support as an important determinant of successful implementation of health promotional intervention [54][55][56][57]. However, in the current study participants became empowered through social interaction with other participants in the intervention program, which gave them the confidence to spread their knowledge to others thereby creating a wider social network bounded by common goals such as physical activity and health.…”

Development and Evaluation of a Physical Activity Intervention Informed by Participatory Research- A Feasibility Study

“…Development of group skills strengthened individuals' faith in their own abilities and boosted their self-confidence, which successively led to personal empowerment. This is in line with previous studies describing social support as an important determinant of successful implementation of health promotional intervention [54][55][56][57]. However, in the current study participants became empowered through social interaction with other participants in the intervention program, which gave them the confidence to spread their knowledge to others thereby creating a wider social network bounded by common goals such as physical activity and health.…”

Review of Ecological Approach Factors Affecting Physical Activity among Older People

“…In addition, intimate and formal interpersonal relationships were important factors that influenced physical activity among older people. Participants who exercised with others have been reported to perform more regular physical activity than those who exercised alone (Salvatore et al, 2019). Moreover, social support was an important resource for physical activity among older people in Brazil (T. Benedetti et al, 2011).…”