Midlife women's attitudes toward physical activity.

OBJECTIVE

To explore attitudes toward physical activity among a multiethnic group of midlife women.

DESIGN

A qualitative cross-sectional study using an online forum. RECRUITMENT SETTINGS: Internet communities/groups for midlife women and for ethnic minorities.

PARTICIPANTS

A multiethnic group of 15 midlife women.

INSTRUMENTS

Ten online forum topics on attitudes toward physical activity and seven on ethnic-specific contexts.

DATA ANALYSIS

Thematic analysis, involving line-by-line coding, categorization, and theme extraction.

RESULTS

Six themes across all ethnic groups emerged from the data analysis process, although there were some ethnic differences in details related to each theme. The themes were (a) gendered experience, (b) physical activity as all body movements, (c) no time for physical activity, (d) environment matters, (e) health concerns made me do it, and (f) need a companion.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses need to consider and further investigate the influence of women's multiple roles, cultural factors, and environmental factors on physical activity in order to promote physical activity of midlife women.