Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program Among Sedentary Blacks

IntroductionPhysical activity participation is low among blacks, and strategies are needed to successfully create immediate and sustained behavior change related to physical activity. Churches can play an important role in health promotion efforts among blacks because of their central role in spirit...

ver descrição completa

Detalhes bibliográficos
Principais autores: Melicia C. Whitt-Glover, PhD, Patricia E. Hogan, MS, Wei Lang, PhD, Daniel P. Heil, PhD
Formato: Artigo
Idioma:English
Publicado em: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2008-04-01
coleção:Preventing Chronic Disease
Assuntos:
Acesso em linha:http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/apr/06_0169.htm
_version_ 1827613442308046848
author Melicia C. Whitt-Glover, PhD
Patricia E. Hogan, MS
Wei Lang, PhD
Daniel P. Heil, PhD
author_facet Melicia C. Whitt-Glover, PhD
Patricia E. Hogan, MS
Wei Lang, PhD
Daniel P. Heil, PhD
author_sort Melicia C. Whitt-Glover, PhD
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionPhysical activity participation is low among blacks, and strategies are needed to successfully create immediate and sustained behavior change related to physical activity. Churches can play an important role in health promotion efforts among blacks because of their central role in spiritual guidance, communication, social support, and networking. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a physical activity program for sedentary black adults in churches.MethodsWe used a preintervention/postintervention single-group design to evaluate the effect of a 3-month faith-based physical activity intervention on daily walking and moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity among sedentary blacks. Eighty-seven black adults participated in eight group sessions that included discussion of physical activity-related topics, an instructor-led physical activity session, and weekly incentives to promote physical activity. We used a questionnaire to assess moderate and vigorous physical activity in minutes per week at baseline and after 3 months. Walking was assessed weekly in steps per day by using a pedometer.ResultsParticipants (mean age, 52 yrs; mean body mass index, 35 kg/m2) reported 27 ± 54 and 10 ± 25 minutes per week in moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity, respectively, and walked 4822 ± 2351 steps per day at baseline. After 12 weeks, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity increased by 67 ± 78 and 44 ± 66 minutes per week, respectively (P ≤ .01), and daily walking increased by 1373 ± 728 steps per day (P < .001).ConclusionThese data suggest that a faith-based physical activity intervention may be an appropriate strategy for increasing physical activity among sedentary black adults. Future research will determine the impact of this program in a randomized, controlled design.
first_indexed 2024-03-09T08:39:50Z
format Article
id doaj.art-56e69c67fbce4eaeb32d693d7e223647
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1545-1151
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-09T08:39:50Z
publishDate 2008-04-01
publisher Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
record_format Article
series Preventing Chronic Disease
spelling doaj.art-56e69c67fbce4eaeb32d693d7e2236472023-12-02T17:13:02ZengCenters for Disease Control and PreventionPreventing Chronic Disease1545-11512008-04-0152Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program Among Sedentary BlacksMelicia C. Whitt-Glover, PhDPatricia E. Hogan, MSWei Lang, PhDDaniel P. Heil, PhDIntroductionPhysical activity participation is low among blacks, and strategies are needed to successfully create immediate and sustained behavior change related to physical activity. Churches can play an important role in health promotion efforts among blacks because of their central role in spiritual guidance, communication, social support, and networking. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a physical activity program for sedentary black adults in churches.MethodsWe used a preintervention/postintervention single-group design to evaluate the effect of a 3-month faith-based physical activity intervention on daily walking and moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity among sedentary blacks. Eighty-seven black adults participated in eight group sessions that included discussion of physical activity-related topics, an instructor-led physical activity session, and weekly incentives to promote physical activity. We used a questionnaire to assess moderate and vigorous physical activity in minutes per week at baseline and after 3 months. Walking was assessed weekly in steps per day by using a pedometer.ResultsParticipants (mean age, 52 yrs; mean body mass index, 35 kg/m2) reported 27 ± 54 and 10 ± 25 minutes per week in moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity, respectively, and walked 4822 ± 2351 steps per day at baseline. After 12 weeks, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity increased by 67 ± 78 and 44 ± 66 minutes per week, respectively (P ≤ .01), and daily walking increased by 1373 ± 728 steps per day (P < .001).ConclusionThese data suggest that a faith-based physical activity intervention may be an appropriate strategy for increasing physical activity among sedentary black adults. Future research will determine the impact of this program in a randomized, controlled design.http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/apr/06_0169.htmfaith-based physical activity programsphysical activityexercise programssedentary blacksAfrican American health
spellingShingle Melicia C. Whitt-Glover, PhD
Patricia E. Hogan, MS
Wei Lang, PhD
Daniel P. Heil, PhD
Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program Among Sedentary Blacks
Preventing Chronic Disease
faith-based physical activity programs
physical activity
exercise programs
sedentary blacks
African American health
title Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program Among Sedentary Blacks
title_full Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program Among Sedentary Blacks
title_fullStr Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program Among Sedentary Blacks
title_full_unstemmed Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program Among Sedentary Blacks
title_short Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program Among Sedentary Blacks
title_sort pilot study of a faith based physical activity program among sedentary blacks
topic faith-based physical activity programs
physical activity
exercise programs
sedentary blacks
African American health
url http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2008/apr/06_0169.htm
work_keys_str_mv AT meliciacwhittgloverphd pilotstudyofafaithbasedphysicalactivityprogramamongsedentaryblacks
AT patriciaehoganms pilotstudyofafaithbasedphysicalactivityprogramamongsedentaryblacks
AT weilangphd pilotstudyofafaithbasedphysicalactivityprogramamongsedentaryblacks
AT danielpheilphd pilotstudyofafaithbasedphysicalactivityprogramamongsedentaryblacks