title: Determinants of adherence to physical activity guidelines among overweight and obese African American breast cancer survivors: implications for an intervention approach.
abstract: Public health agencies encourage breast cancer survivors (BCSs) to follow their physical activity guidelines (PAGs). However, adherence to these guidelines is low. African American (AA) BCSs are more often overweight or obese and less likely than women of other races to report adherence to physical activity recommendations. This study examined socioeconomic, clinical, and psychosocial correlates with meeting PAGs.
  
  
  
  AA women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer and participating in a breast cancer support group (N = 193) completed a lifestyle assessment tool capturing demographic characteristics; breast cancer diagnosis and treatment history; health-related quality of life; weight history, including body mass index and post-diagnosis weight gain; and physical activity. Logistic regressions were used to determine if these covariates were associated with meeting [>8.3 metabolic equivalent task (MET) hr/wk]; partially meeting (4.15-8.3 MET hr/wk); or not meeting (<4.15 MET hr/wk) PAGs.
  
  
  
  Only 54% of AA BCSs reported meeting current PAGs. Participants reporting weight gain of ≤5 lbs post-diagnosis, and those who received surgical treatment for breast cancer were more likely to complete at least 8.3 MET hr/wk. Better physical functioning and lesser pain intensity were associated with meeting PAGs.
  
  
  
  Several factors influence physical activity behaviors and are likely to be important in developing effective interventions to assist AA survivors manage their weight. It is essential that providers and breast cancer support groups that assist survivors to remain physically active and to manage their weight should be aware of these factors. These findings may help generate hypotheses for future research to undergird efforts to increase physical activity among African American BCSs.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA.|b Department of Family Medicine , Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA.
authors.forename: Selina A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ansa
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA.|c Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA.
authors.forename: Wonsuk
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: d Florida Resources for Empowering Sustainable Health , Miami , FL , USA.|e SISTAAH Talk Breast Cancer Support Group , Miami , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Mary S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.affiliation: f Department of Clinical and Digital Health Sciences , College of Allied Health Sciences, Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA.
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Coughlin
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D000073116:Cancer Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: African Americans; Physical activity guidelines; adherence; body mass index; breast cancer survivors; health-related quality of life