Subject(s)
Hip Dislocation, Congenital/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Infant, Newborn , MaleSubject(s)
Obesity/diagnosis , Body Mass Index , Body Weight , Child, Preschool , Humans , Male , Obesity/complications , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many African-American women fail to participate in regular physical activity. Weight status may influence physical activity barriers. This study examined the frequency and type of barriers. METHODS: Participants in this study were enrolled in Project EXE-L (Exercising Ladies Excel), a six-month, church-based, randomized trial of moderate-intensity physical activity based in Baltimore city and county in Maryland. Participants were composed of African-American women who attended one of the participating churches, had friends who were church members, or who lived in neighborhoods surrounding one of the churches. Individuals who were between the ages of 25 and 70 years, were not regularly physically active (defined as not engaging in moderate-intensity activity more than three times per week), and were able to participate in moderate-intensity activity met eligibility criteria to participate in the trial. Barriers to physical activity were evaluated with the Steinhardt/Dishman Barriers for Habitual Physical Activity Scale at baseline. RESULTS: One hundred twenty women were classified as normal weight (body mass index [BMI]: <25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m2), or obese (BMI: > or = 30 kg/m2). Obese participants were more likely to report "lack of motivation" as a barrier compared with normal-weight participants (63% vs 31%). Normal-weight and overweight participants were more likely to report no barriers compared with the obese (31%, 0%, 5%, respectively, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Barriers for African-American women may vary by BMI status. By defining these unique barriers, effective physical activity interventions can be developed.
Subject(s)
Black or African American , Body Weight , Exercise/psychology , Adult , Baltimore , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , United StatesABSTRACT
Consensus guidelines provide recommendations for the diagnosis and management of obesity. We conducted a medical record review of children initially diagnosed with obesity at a general pediatrics visit. The diagnosis was made most often at health maintenance visits (46%). Body mass index was documented in 5% of initial visits; 74% had documentation of obesity-related history; 64% had documentation of counseling. In multivariate analysis, male patients were more likely to have diet history documentation; female patients were more likely to have weight loss program referrals. Future research should assess pediatricians' perceptions about obesity to better understand clinical practice patterns.
Subject(s)
Obesity/diagnosis , Pediatrics , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Adolescent , Body Mass Index , Child , Child, Preschool , Counseling , Documentation , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Medical Records , Michigan , Obesity/therapy , Practice Guidelines as TopicABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations among health status, well-being, and perceived stress in a sample of urban African American women. African American women (n = 128) (Mean +/- SD, 49.3 +/- 10.5) from Baltimore, Maryland, enrolled in a church-based physical activity randomized trial were included in the analysis. Health status was assessed from the SF-36. Well-being, perceived stress, and demographics were also determined from self-report. Results indicated that the sample reported favorable health status, well-being, and stress levels compared to mean levels reported in the literature. Spearman rank-order correlations indicated that perceived stress score negatively correlated with most health status dimensions and well-being in the present, past, and future. Multiple regression analyses, adjusting for potential demographic confounders, indicated that higher perceived stress was associated with lower health status and well-being. If these results are confirmed in prospective investigations, they suggest that interventions designed to reduce stress may impact health status and future morbidity and mortality.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Black or African American , Exercise , Health Status , Stress, Psychological/complications , Urban Population , Adult , Black or African American/psychology , Baltimore , Exercise/psychology , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Middle Aged , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Regression Analysis , Social Environment , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors , Women's HealthABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Understanding the attitudes of African American adolescent girls toward physical activity may help identify strategies to enable these adolescents to adopt a more physically active lifestyle that could track into adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To identify and compare attitudes of African American adolescent girls toward physical activity with the attitudes of white adolescent girls. METHODS: Six focus groups (N = 49) were conducted with 9th- through 12th-grade African American and white adolescent girls. Participants were recruited from community and medical settings in an urban city. Groups were audiotaped, coded, and analyzed for themes. RESULTS: African American participants were more accepting of their body image than were the white participants as individuals, as a community, and in the media. Themes common among African American and white participants included appearance and hygiene, value of physical activity, and issues of masculinity. Physically active adolescents reported on the significance of social support in motivating their physical activity participation. CONCLUSION: Future research on these attitudes could help inform the design of effective and culturally appropriate interventions to promote physical activity in African American and white adolescent girls.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health/ethnology , Black or African American/psychology , Exercise/psychology , White People/psychology , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Qualitative Research , Self Concept , Social Support , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify environmental, policy, and cultural predictors of physical activity in urban African American women living in Baltimore, MD. Thirty-nine mostly well-educated women participated in eight focus group discussions, five for women aged 36 to 50 years and three for women 20 to 35 years of age. Transcripts were analyzed using QSR NUD*IST qualitative software, and themes were identified. The discussions identified numerous opportunities and barriers for physical activity. The women reported being aware of physical activity resources and facilities available to them, but they lacked time and motivation to participate. Family responsibilities and duties unique to African American women were cited often. The results suggest that providing more environmental facilities may not be sufficient to increase physical activity in well-educated urban African American women. Intervention strategies that place value on family and cultural responsibilities should be considered.
