Incorporating religion and spirituality into the design of community-based physical activity programs for African American women: A qualitative inquiry NCT02823379 NCT

Rodney Joseph, Barbara Ainsworth, Latanya Mathis, Steven P. Hooker, Colleen Keller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Limited research has examined how aspects of religion and spirituality can be incorporated into community-based physical activity programs delivered outside of religious institutions. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore how spirituality and religion can be leveraged in the design of community-based physical activity programs for African American women delivered outside of faith-based or faith-placed settings. Results: Three focus groups were conducted were conducted with 23 African American women (M age = 37.8 years, M BMI = 39.6 kg m2). Results showed that incorporating aspects of spirituality (i.e., words encouraging connectedness to a higher power, meditation, mind-body activities) into a physical activity program was universally accepted among participants, regardless of religious affiliation. In contrast, including concepts of religion (i.e., bible verses and/or quotes from religious leaders) was controversial and not recommended among women who did not identify with a religious faith. Findings indicate that when developing community-based physical activity interventions that will not be delivered through faith-based or faith-placed settings, researchers should avoid references to specific religious beliefs. Instead, interventions should focus on spirituality and emphasize the mind-body relationship between physical activity and an African American women's inner-being and her connectedness with a higher power.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number506
JournalBMC Research Notes
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 23 2017

Keywords

  • Black
  • Exercise
  • Physical activity
  • Religion
  • Spirituality
  • Women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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