OBJECTIVES: Increased physical activity is associated with decreased risk for several chronic diseases, including hypertension and diabetes. Although African Americans are at increased risk for these conditions, there is little knowledge about factors that influence physical activity in this population. We investigated whether physical activity could be predicted by baseline variables including: demographic, medical, anthropometric, fitness, stress and family health factors.
<br><br>METHODS: Of 1,879 participants (85% female, median age = 51) from the Healthy Black Family Project who completed a baseline fitness assessment and questionnaire over an 18-month period, 988 attended at least one exercise class (active group) and 891 never attended an exercise class (non-active group). Of all 1,879 participants, 98 individuals also completed a family history with a genetic counseling student three months before or after their initial assessment. Multiple linear regression, t-tests, and chi-squared analyses were conducted to test for effects on activity level and differences between groups.
<br><br>RESULTS: In the active group, the average number of exercise classes attended was 14. Analyses indicated that increased activity was significantly correlated with increased percent body fat (p = 0.001), decreased BMI (p = 0.028) and decreased flexibility (p = 0.088). In the top quartile of the active group, family history of diabetes (p = 0.006) and personal history of cardiovascular concerns (p = 0.016) predicted activity. These findings accounted for 2 and 5.3% of variation in activity, respectively. There were many significant findings between the non-active and active groups, indicating that individuals in poorer health and at greater risk for disease tend to be more active. Individuals who completed a family history risk assessment were also more likely to be active.
<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that baseline physical measurements as well as individual and family health variables are correlated with activity levels in African Americans. Dynamics of the Healthy Black Family Project likely contribute to at-risk individuals being more active.<br>
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IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Community intervention programs targeting African Americans at high risk for chronic disease aim to reduce health disparities. Identifying factors that influence physical activity among this population will enable interventions to tailor services to encourage activity and reduce risk for disease.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PITT/oai:PITTETD:etd-04112008-165811 |
| Date | 26 June 2008 |
| Creators | Watson, Melissa Anne |
| Contributors | Robin E. Grubs, PhD, CGC, Candace Kammerer, PhD, Stephen B. Thomas, PhD, Angela Ford, PhD, Elizabeth A. Gettig, MS, CGC |
| Publisher | University of Pittsburgh |
| Source Sets | University of Pittsburgh |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04112008-165811/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Pittsburgh or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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