Physical Activity Influences in a Disadvantaged African American Community and the Communities' Proposed Solutions

Sarah F. Griffin, Dawn K. Wilson, Sara Wilcox, Jacqueline Buck, Barbara Ainsworth

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    53 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The purpose of this assessment is to increase our understanding of how safety and environmental factors influence physical activity among African American residents living in a low-income, high-crime neighborhood and to get input from these residents about how to best design physical activity interventions for their neighborhood. Twenty-seven African American adult residents of a low-income, high-crime neighborhood in a suburban southeastern community participated in three focus groups. Participants were asked questions about perceptions of what would help them, their families, and their neighbors be more physically active. Two independent raters coded the responses into themes. Participants suggested three environmental approaches in an effort to increase physical activity: increasing law enforcement, community connectedness and social support, and structured programs. Findings suggest that safety issues are an important factor for residents living in disadvantaged conditions and that the residents know how they want to make their neighborhoods healthier.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)180-190
    Number of pages11
    JournalHealth promotion practice
    Volume9
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Apr 2008

    Keywords

    • assessment
    • community solutions
    • environment
    • physical activity
    • safety

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
    • Nursing (miscellaneous)

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