Understanding physical activity participation in members of an African American church: a qualitative study

Abstract

Faith-based interventions hold promise for increasing physical activity (PA) and thereby reducing health disparities. This paper examines the perceived influences on PA participation, the link between spirituality and health behaviors and the role of the church in promoting PA in African Americans. Participants (n = 44) were adult members of African American churches in South Carolina. In preparation for a faith-based intervention, eight focus groups were conducted with sedentary or underactive participants. Groups were stratified by age (<55 years versus >or=55 years), geography and gender. Four general categories were determined from the focus groups: spirituality, barriers, enablers and desired PA programs. Personal, social, community and environmental barriers and enablers were described by both men and women, with no apparent differences by age. Additionally, both men and women mentioned aerobics, walking programs, sports and classes specifically for older adults as PA programs they would like available at church. This study provides useful information for understanding the attitudes and experiences with exercise among African Americans, and provides a foundation for promoting PA through interventions with this population by incorporating spirituality, culturally specific activities and social support within the church.

Hair Care Practices as a Barrier to Physical Activity in African American Women

“…[3][4][5] Barriers to PA and weight loss can be personal (lacking time, energy, motivation, or knowledge), social (caregiving responsibilities or lack of social support), financial (cost of participating in organized PA or cost of equipment), and environmental (concerns for personal safety or lack of nearby exercise facilities). 6,7 Dermatologic barriers are not as well explored in the literature. Many patients believe that exercise and associated sweating may exacerbate common dermatologic conditions, including acne, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] atopic dermatitis, 15,16 and folliculitis.…”

A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Community and Programmatic Dimensions Associated With Successful Implementation of Church-Based Diabetes Prevention Programs

“…2,3 Over the last 15 years, community-based screening and educational intervention programs have become widely accepted approaches to address the health and mental health disparities in African American communities. [4][5][6][7][8] More recently, the involvement of the church has become a core component of such interventions because of the central role it plays in the black community. 5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Community and church-based health promotion programs have been shown to successfully reduce weight through dietary modification and increased physical exercise, thereby reducing the risk for future type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease among participants.…”

Examining the Role of Churches in Adolescent Girls’ Physical Activity

“…These results are not surprising given that adult members of African American churches have indicated that they would like walking programs, sports, aerobics, and resistance training offered as physical activity programs at church. 24 In addition, PA programs at church were a significant correlate of activity for African American women in a cross-sectional investigation. 25 Despite the fact that similar evidence is not yet available in children and adolescents, interventions such as Go Girls provide evidence that adolescent girls enjoy physical activity programs offered in religious settings 26 and could potentially be a targeted site for future intervention studies.…”