Disconnections of African American Public Housing Residents: Connections to Physical Activity, Dietary Habits and Obesity

• Published in: American journal of community psychology Vol. 47; no. 3-4; pp. 264 - 276
• Main Authors: Eugeni, Michelle L., Baxter, Meggin, Mama, Scherezade K., Lee, Rebecca E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.06.2011; Blackwell Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; African Americans; Aged; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Community and Environmental Psychology; Consciousness; Constraints; Diet; Exercise; Feeding Behavior; Female; Health; Health Behavior; Health Psychology; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - ethnology; Original Paper; Personality and Social Psychology; Physical Fitness; Psychology; Public Health; Public Housing; Qualitative research; Recreation; Residents; Socioeconomic Status; Young Adult; Qualitative research; African Americans; Exercise; Public housing; Diet
• ISSN: 0091-0562; 1573-2770
• DOI: 10.1007/s10464-010-9402-1

African American (AA) and low SES populations report poor health behaviors and outcomes. This study aimed to increase understanding of barriers to participating in healthful behaviors and programs in AA residents of public housing. Twenty two apparently healthy, AA residents (50% female, M  = 43.9 years) completed in depth interviews, which were taped, transcribed and analyzed using a constant comparison approach. Residents demonstrated some awareness of health recommendations, but described limited adherence. Physical activity for recreation was reported as primarily for youth, with adults engaging in limited physical activity (primarily incidental to other activities). Barriers reported by residents were both personal and environmental. Few residents were aware of local neighborhood opportunities for physical activity or healthful eating. Future efforts should focus on increasing understanding of health promoting behaviors and awareness and efficacy of residents to connect with the resources of their surrounding communities.