Characteristics of insufficiently active hypertensive Black women who volunteer to be in a physical activity promotion intervention: an application of social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model.

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a significant public health problem for Black American women. Increasing physical activity is an effective way to manage hypertension. However, Black women are among the least physically active racial/ethnic/gender group. In this paper we identify the positive resources and areas of need among insufficiently active Black hypertensive women who presented to a study to increase their level of physical activity.

METHODS

Women completed questionnaires to assess self-efficacy to overcome barriers to physical activity, confidence to use self-motivation to engage in behaviors supportive of a physically active lifestyle, friend and family social support for physical activity, and behavioral and cognitive strategies associated with physical activity.

RESULTS

Sixty-one insufficiently active Black hypertensive women participated in the study. The mean age of the sample was 50.48+/-4.2 years. The mean body mass index was 35.97+/-6.88 kg/m2. Resting blood pressure was 133.28/78.21+/-16.41/8.96 mm Hg. According to the Transtheoretical Model stages of change, 88.52% of the sample was in contemplation. Women reported a moderate level of confidence to overcome barriers, a moderate level of confidence to use self-motivation, and reported that barriers rarely interfered with their ability to be physically active. However, women had little friend or family support for physical activity and only rarely used behavioral strategies to encourage their activity.

CONCLUSION

To further support this population, physical activity interventions should focus on developing social support networks and teaching a variety of behavioral strategies important to the adoption of an active lifestyle.