title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Community Health Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. mbopp@ksu.edu
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bopp
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lattimore
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laken
authors.forename: Lottie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McClorin
authors.forename: Rosetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Swinton
authors.forename: Octavia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gethers
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bryant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D054521:Cultural Competency; D004779:Environment Design; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D033303:Protestantism / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012449:Safety; D012944:Social Support; D013022:South Carolina; D029181:Spirituality