Availability of Physical Activity Programs in African American Churches and Relations to Physical Activity Participation

Abstract

1358 African Americans have lower rates of physical activity (PA) than Caucasians. PA programs that are delivered through churches may offer many benefits to members, but have not been examined extensively. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between availability of PA programs and interpersonal support for PA in African American churches and member PA participation. METHODS: The Health-e-AME PA initiative is examining the effects of a faith-based PA program in AME churches in SC. A random sample of 21 churches was selected from more than 500 eligible churches to participate in a telephone evaluation of the program (N = 571). The CDC BRFSS PA module was used to assess PA. Baseline results are reported. RESULTS: Forty two percent of respondents reported the availability of PA programs at their churches. For churches with PA programs, the most commonly reported programs were walking programs (20%) and aerobics (22%) or a combination of both (20%). Respondents who reported PA in their churches were more likely to meet PA recommendations than those who reported no programs (p = 0.05). The availability of exercise program varied by church size; larger churches were somewhat more likely to offer PA programs (p = 0.07) than small or medium sized churches. There was no association between church size (small, medium, large) and meeting PA recommendations. The examination of interpersonal support for PA within the church revealed that 76% of respondents reported that they had never spoken with the health director at their church about participating in a PA program, and only 25% and 33% had ever spoken with another church member about a PA program or were encouraged to join a PA program, respectively. Of these three interpersonal factors, speaking with other church members about a PA program was significantly associated with members meeting PA recommendations (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Program and interpersonal supports within the AME church may offer a venue for increasing PA among African American members. Our program seeks to increase faith-based supports for increasing PA and reducing health disparities. This research was supported by a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.