title: Promoting Physical Activity among Underserved Populations.
abstract: Underserved populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, individuals with low socioeconomic status, and individuals with physical disabilities, are less likely to engage in sufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and are thus at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. These populations face unique challenges to engaging in MVPA. Learning how to overcome these challenges is a necessary first step in achieving health equity through health promotion research. In this review of the literature, we discuss issues and strategies that have been used to promote MVPA among individuals from underserved populations, focusing on recruitment, intervention delivery, and the use of technology in interventions. Physical activity promotion research among these vulnerable populations is scarce. Nevertheless, there is preliminary evidence of efficacy in the use of certain recruitment and intervention strategies including tailoring, cultural adaptation, incorporation of new technologies, and multilevel and community-based approaches for physical activity promotion among different underserved populations.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, La Jolla, CA; 2 Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Vasconez
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Linke
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Dori
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pekmezi
authors.forename: Cole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
authors.forename: Mayra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Bess H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: Britta A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Larsen
mesh_terms: D015444:Exercise; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods*; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations