title: Environmental, policy, and cultural factors related to physical activity in well-educated urban African American women.
abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify environmental, policy, and cultural predictors of physical activity in urban African American women living in Baltimore, MD. Thirty-nine mostly well-educated women participated in eight focus group discussions, five for women aged 36 to 50 years and three for women 20 to 35 years of age. Transcripts were analyzed using QSR NUD*IST qualitative software, and themes were identified. The discussions identified numerous opportunities and barriers for physical activity. The women reported being aware of physical activity resources and facilities available to them, but they lacked time and motivation to participate. Family responsibilities and duties unique to African American women were cited often. The results suggest that providing more environmental facilities may not be sufficient to increase physical activity in well-educated urban African American women. Intervention strategies that place value on family and cultural responsibilities should be considered.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, Department of Kinesiology, 2312 Health and Human Performance Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA. dryoung@wam.umd.edu
authors.forename: Deborah Rohm
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Xiaoxing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mabry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D015142:Baltimore; D001828:Body Image; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003469:Culture; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health; D016387:Women's Health