PREVALENCE OF MODERATE PA IN MINORITY WOMEN

Abstract

1246 The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of women meeting the CDC-ACSM recommendation for moderate-intensity physical activity (PA). In a five month period, we measured 12 PA records (1 record/day, 4 consecutive days, every other month - 1st, 3rd, and 5th). Subjects were 88 African American and American Indian women (ages 40-74 yrs, mean = 49.7 ± 9.1 yrs) enrolled in the Cross-Cultural Activity Participation Study. We computed the frequency of days women performed moderate PA (3-6 METs) for at least 30 mins. Six percent of the population (5/88) met the recommendation on all 12 days. Fifteen percent (13/88) met the recommendation on 8 of 12 days (all four days in months 3 and 5). Thirty percent (26/88) met the recommendation on 4 of 12 days (four days in the 1st month only). When averaged each day across months 1, 3, and 5, 75 percent (66/88) met the recommendation. Despite differences in how the recommendation was expressed, no significant differences (using t-tests, p>.05) were found between women who met the CDC-ACSM recommendation versus those who did not meet the recommendation for age, weight, BP, WHR, BMI, waist circumference, # calories expended/day (measured by Caltrac accelerometer), and # steps walked/day(measured by Yamax pedometer). However, there was a trend for more active women having favorable health and PA profiles than less active women. Methodological issues must be resolved in regard to how the CDC-ACSM recommendations are computed to determine accurate moderate activity prevalence rates.