title: The Animadora Project: identifying factors related to the promotion of physical activity among Mexican Americans with diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a dearth of information about factors related to physical activity among Mexican-Americans with diabetes. Self-efficacy and social support are associated with physical activity; however, little is known about their roles within different cultural groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups were used to identify factors that motivated walking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two Mexican-American communities located in Tucson, Arizona.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals who attended diabetes education.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community-based provider organized walking groups with people who previously attended diabetes classes. Walkers participated in focus groups exploring themes related to their experiences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-efficacy, social support, and collective efficacy. Grounded theory was used to analyze focus group results using two rounds of analysis; the first identified references to self-efficacy and social support, and the second added collective efficacy as a theoretic basis for walking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 43 eligible participants, 20 participated in focus groups. Social support was expressed as commitment and companionship. Walkers demonstrated a high level of self-efficacy for walking. Development of group identity/social cohesion was also a motivator to walk. Collective efficacy emerged as an applicable theoretic model encompassing these themes and their interrelationship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collective efficacy, or the belief that the group can improve their lives through collective effort, is a viable theoretic construct in the development of physical activity interventions targeting Mexican-Americans with diabetes.
authors: Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 2495 North Martin, Campus PO Box 245209, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. maiai@u.arizona.edu
authors: Maia
authors: M
authors: Ingram
authors: Maricruz
authors: M
authors: Ruiz
authors: Maria Theresa
authors: MT
authors: Mayorga
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Rosales
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D016138:Walking