8 Steps to Fitness: a faith-based, behavior change physical activity intervention for African Americans.
BACKGROUND
Physical activity (PA) participation offers many benefits especially among ethnic groups that experience health disparities. Partnering with faith-based organizations allows for a more culturally tailored approach to changing health behaviors.


METHODS
8 Steps to Fitness was a faith-based behavior-change intervention promoting PA among members of African American churches. A quasi-experimental design was used to examine differences between the intervention group (n = 72) and comparison group (n = 74). Health (resting blood pressure, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, fasting blood glucose), psychosocial (PA self-efficacy, social support, enjoyment, self-regulation, depression), and behavioral variables (PA, diet) were assessed at baseline, 3- and 6-months. Repeated measures ANCOVAs tested changes across time between groups.


RESULTS
At 3-months, the intervention group showed significantly more favorable changes in body mass index, waist circumference and social support than the control group. At 6-months, the intervention group showed significantly more favorable changes in hip circumference, waist to hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, and depressive symptoms. There was notable attrition from both the intervention (36%) and the comparison group (58%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study was conducted in a real-world setting, and provided insight into how to deliver a culturally-tailored PA intervention program for African Americans with a potential for dissemination.
Bopp
Melissa
M
Dept of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
Wilcox
Sara
S
Laken
Marilyn
M
Hooker
Steven P
SP
Parra-Medina
Deborah
D
Saunders
Ruth
R
Butler
Kimberly
K
Fallon
Elizabeth A
EA
McClorin
Lottie
L
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012067:Religion; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose