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PubMed2006

Correlates of physical activity level in breast cancer survivors participating in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity levels among breast cancer survivors are typically low, and knowledge of the correlates of increased physical activity among cancer survivors is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that are associated with physical activity or inactivity among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Data from 3088 women participating in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Study, collected prior to randomization, were the focus of the current analyses. Self-reports of physical activity levels, quality of life, depression, and dietary intakes were collected. Pearson correlation analyses were employed to examine the associations among these variables, and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between selected health behaviors and physical activity levels, after controlling for demographic, breast cancer-related, and psychosocial variables. RESULTS: Demographic and psychosocial variables were related to physical activity levels (P < 0.001 for all). Cancer treatment type and cancer stage were correlated with survivors' physical activity levels (P < 0.01), but the associations were no longer significant after controlling for demographic variables. Physical activity levels were strongly associated with other health behaviors, especially dietary intakes (P < 0.001), even after controlling for demographic, cancer-related, and psychosocial factors. CONCLUSION: Low physical activity levels in breast cancer survivors are associated with specific behavioral and other factors, which can be considered as indicators of women at higher risk. Findings of significant differences in physical activity levels based on demographic characteristics suggest the importance of promoting physical activity particularly among breast cancer survivors of ethnic minority or lower education levels.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2006

Social cognitive correlates of leisure time physical activity among Latinos.

Despite the well-documented benefits of leisure time physical activity, Latinos are reported to be highest among all ethnic groups in leisure time inactivity. The present study examined the relationship between leisure time physical activity and exercise self-efficacy, exercise barriers self-efficacy, exercise social support, and perceived importance of physical activity. Data were obtained from 153 Latinos (n = 86 female, n = 67 male). Comparisons were made between Latinos with high and low levels of leisure time physical activity and between men and women. Results revealed that Latinos high in leisure time physical activity had significantly greater exercise and barriers self-efficacy, received more social support from friends to exercise, and placed greater importance on physical activity outcomes than did Latinos low in leisure time physical activity. No significant differences were revealed for social support from family, nor between men and women on the psychosocial variables. Physical activity interventions targeting sources of self-efficacy, increasing social support, and emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity should be helpful in increasing leisure time physical activity of Latinos. Future research should examine the influence of environmental and cultural variables on the leisure time physical activity of Latinos and how they interact with psychosocial factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Childhood parenting experiences, intimate partner conflict resolution, and adult risk for child physical abuse.

This study investigated the relationships between conflict resolution tactics experienced during childhood, intimate partner conflict resolution tactics, alcohol problems and adult child physical abuse risk. Participants were 1,544 Navy recruit trainees who volunteered to complete measures of parenting practices and spousal physical violence experienced during their childhood, the conflict resolution techniques used in their intimate relationships, their personal history of alcohol problems, and child physical abuse potential. Regression analyses indicated that the receipt of intimate partner physical violence accounted for the most variance in predicting who would inflict physical violence against an intimate partner; and the infliction of intimate physical violence accounted for the most variance in predicting who would receive physical violence from an intimate partner. Other analyses indicated that among the parent and intimate partner physically violent events, parent-child violence during childhood accounted for the most variance in explaining child abuse risk in females and males, with the infliction of intimate partner violence adding only to the prediction of child abuse risk in females. Analyses also revealed that after the effects of violent experiences were removed, alcohol problems contributed significantly, albeit very modestly, to the prediction of who expressed intimate partner physical violence for males and females, who was physically injured by an intimate partner (in the case of male injury), and who was at risk of child physical abuse for males and females.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Self-management strategies mediate self-efficacy and physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy theory proposes that girls who have confidence in their capability to be physically active will perceive fewer barriers to physical activity or be less influenced by them, be more likely to pursue perceived benefits of being physically active, and be more likely to enjoy physical activity. Self-efficacy is theorized also to influence physical activity through self-management strategies (e.g., thoughts, goals, plans, and acts) that support physical activity, but this idea has not been empirically tested. METHODS: Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the factorial validity of a measure of self-management strategies for physical activity. Next, the construct validity of the measure was tested by examining whether self-management strategies mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and self-reported physical activity, independently of several social-cognitive variables (i.e., perceived barriers, outcome expectancy value, and enjoyment), among cross-sectional samples of 6th grade (n=309) and 8th grade (n=296) girls tested between February 14 and March 17, 2002. Data were analyzed in 2004. RESULTS: Consistent with theory, self-efficacy had direct effects on the social-cognitive variables. The primary novel finding is that self-management strategies mediated the association of self-efficacy with physical activity in both samples. CONCLUSIONS: The measure of self-management strategies for physical activity yields valid scores among adolescent girls and warrants experimental study as a mediator of the influence of efficacy beliefs on physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Physical activity in men and women with arthritis National Health Interview Survey, 2002.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity in persons with arthritis has been shown to decrease pain, improve function, and delay disability. This study estimates the national prevalence of leisure-time physical activity and identifies factors associated with physical inactivity in adults with arthritis. METHODS: Data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed in 2004-2005 to estimate the proportion of adults with arthritis meeting four physical activity recommendations put forward in Healthy People 2010 and one arthritis-specific recommendation established by a national expert panel in arthritis and physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between inactivity and sociodemographic factors, body mass index, functional limitations, social limitations, need for special equipment, frequent anxiety/depression, affected joint location, joint pain, physical activity counseling, and access to a fitness facility. RESULTS: Adults with arthritis were significantly less likely than adults without arthritis to engage in recommended levels of moderate or vigorous physical activity, and 37% of adults with arthritis were inactive. In both men and women with arthritis, inactivity was associated with older age, lower education, and having functional limitations; having access to a fitness facility was inversely associated with inactivity. Among women, inactivity was also associated with being Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, having frequent anxiety/depression or social limitations, needing special equipment, and not receiving physical activity counseling. Among men, inactivity was also associated with severe joint pain. CONCLUSIONS: Although physical activity is a recommended therapy for people with arthritis, levels among adults with arthritis are insufficient, and those with arthritis have worse activity profiles than their peers without arthritis. Efforts to promote physical activity should include expanding access to evidence-based interventions and recreational facilities/programs. The importance of physical activity counseling and associated pain management measures by healthcare providers should be emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Physical activity and strength of the femoral neck during the adolescent growth spurt: a longitudinal analysis.

Loading of the femoral neck (FN) is dominated by bending and compressive stresses. We hypothesize that adaptation of the FN to physical activity would be manifested in the cross-sectional area (CSA) and section modulus (Z) of bone, indices of axial and bending strength, respectively. We investigated the influence of physical activity on bone strength during adolescence using 7 years of longitudinal data from 109 boys and 121 girls from the Saskatchewan Paediatric Bone and Mineral Accrual Study (PBMAS). Physical activity data (PAC-Q physical activity inventory) and anthropometric measurements were taken every 6 months and DXA bone scans were measured annually (Hologic QDR2000, array mode). We applied hip structural analysis to derive strength and geometric indices of the femoral neck using DXA scans. To control for maturation, we determined a biological maturity age defined as years from age at peak height velocity (APHV). To account for the repeated measures within individual nature of longitudinal data, multilevel random effects regression analyses were used to analyze the data. When biological maturity age and body size (height and weight) were controlled, in both boys and girls, physical activity was a significant positive independent predictor of CSA and Z of the narrow region of the femoral neck (P < 0.05). There was no independent effect of physical activity on the subperiosteal width of the femoral neck. When leg length and leg lean mass were introduced into the random effects models to control for size and muscle mass of the leg (instead of height and weight), all significant effects of physical activity disappeared. Even among adolescents engaged in normal levels of physical activity, the statistically significant relationship between physical activity and indices of bone strength demonstrate that modifiable lifestyle factors like exercise play an important role in optimizing bone strength during the growing years. Physical activity differences were explained by the interdependence between activity and lean mass considerations. Physical activity is important for optimal development of bone strength.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Physical punishment, childhood abuse and psychiatric disorders.

OBJECTIVES: Physical punishment, as a means of disciplining children, may be considered a mild form of childhood adversity. Although many outcomes of physical punishment have been investigated, little attention has been given to the impact of physical punishment on later adult psychopathology. Also, it has been stated that physical punishment by a loving parent is not associated with negative outcomes; however, this theory has not been empirically tested with regard to psychiatric disorders. The main objective of the present study was to investigate three categories of increasing severity of childhood adversity (no physical punishment or abuse, physical punishment only, and child abuse) to examine whether the childhood experience of physical punishment alone was associated with adult psychopathology, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and parental bonding dimensions. METHODS: Data were drawn from the nationally representative National Comorbidity Survey (NCS, n=5,877; age 15-54 years; response rate 82.4%). Binary logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the odds of experiencing psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: Physical punishment was associated with increased odds of major depression (AOR=1.22; 95% CI=1.01-1.48), alcohol abuse/dependence (AOR=1.32; 95% CI=1.08-1.61), and externalizing problems (AOR=1.30; 95% CI=1.05-1.60) in adulthood after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and parental bonding dimensions. Individuals experiencing physical punishment only were at increased odds of adult psychopathology compared to those experiencing no physical punishment/abuse and at decreased odds when compared to those who were abused. CONCLUSIONS: Physical punishment is a mild form of childhood adversity that shows an association with adult psychopathology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Predictors of physical functional disability at 5 to 6 years after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Few reports were found in the literature that examined predictors of physical functional disability after heart transplantation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to (1) describe physical functional disability, (2) identify differences in physical functional disability by demographic and clinical variables, and (3) identify predictors of physical functional disability at 5 to 6 years after heart transplantation. METHODS: A nonrandom sample of 311 patients (approximately 60 years of age, 78% male, and 90% Caucasian) who were 5 to 6 years post-heart transplantation were investigated. Patients completed 8 reliable and valid quality-of-life instruments via self-report. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square, independent t-tests, correlations, and stepwise multiple regression. Level of significance was set at p = 0.05. RESULTS: The level of physical functional disability was low at 5 to 6 years after heart transplantation, yet 59% of patients reported having physical disability. Women experienced more functional disability than men, and patients with comorbidities (i.e., diabetes mellitus and orthopedic problems) experienced more functional disability than patients without these comorbidities. At 5 to 6 years after heart transplantation, 70% of variance in physical functional disability was explained by activities of daily living, symptoms, comorbidities, psychologic status, and resource utilization variables. CONCLUSIONS: At 5 to 6 years after heart transplantation, most patients experienced low levels of physical functional disability. Differences in physical functional disability were identified by both demographic characteristics and clinical variables. Predictors of physical functional disability included activities of daily living and symptoms, and clinical, psychologic, and resource utilization variables. Knowledge of factors related to physical disability long-term after heart transplantation provides direction for the development of strategies to assist patients to reduce their level of disability or function adequately despite their disability.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Social influences on physical activity in Anglo- and Vietnamese-Australian adolescent males in a single sex school.

Understanding factors that influence physical activity levels of adolescents can assist the design of more effective interventions. Social support is a consistent correlate of youth physical activity but few studies have examined this in different cultural settings. Male adolescents (n=180, age=13.58+/-0.97 years) from a metropolitan single sex private school participated in this study. Habitual physical activity was estimated using the 3-day physical activity recall (3dPAR), and aspects of social support to be physically active using a specifically designed questionnaire. Comparisons were made between Anglo-Australians (n=118), whose parents were both born in Australia, and Vietnamese-Australians (n=62), whose parents were both born in Vietnam. There was a trend towards higher physical activity among Anglo-Australians, particularly on weekends. Anglo-Australians reported significantly more parental and peer support across most items pertaining to these constructs. Among the whole sample, social support variables explained 5-12% of the total explained variance in physical activity, with items pertaining to father and best friend support emerging as the strongest and most consistent predictors in multiple regression models. Among Anglo-Australians, the prediction models were relatively weak, explaining 0-9% of the total explained variance in physical activity. Prediction models for physical activity among Vietnamese-Australians were much stronger, explaining 11-32% of the total explained variance, with father's support variables contributing consistently to these models. The strong paternal influence on physical activity among Vietnamese-Australians needs to be confirmed in more diverse population groups, but results from this study suggest that interventions promoting physical activity among adolescent boys need to take into account cultural background as a moderator of widely reported social influences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Predicting physical activity intention and behaviour among children in a longitudinal sample.

We examined predictors of leisure-time physical activity intention and behaviour in children, and the potential direct and moderating effects of gender and ethnicity. Participants were 364 (230 Asian; 134 Caucasian) 9-11-year-old children who completed measures of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and physical activity behaviour (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children) across three, 3-month intervals (i.e., two prediction time-periods) in Canada. The TPB explained 35-50% of the variance in physical activity behaviour and 74-76% of the variance in intention using structural equation modelling. An autoregressive longitudinal path model showed that the TPB predicted changes in physical activity and physical activity predicted changes in TPB constructs (p<.05). Overall, intention and perceived behavioural control were significant (p<.05) contributors to the direct prediction of behaviour and subjective norm and perceived behavioural control were significant (p<.05) predictors of intention. Gender did not show a robust relationship with physical activity or intention, but the effect of ethnicity on physical activity was mediated through perceived behavioural control (Asians less active than Caucasians). Finally, gender and ethnicity did not moderate TPB and physical activity relations (p<.05). These data suggest that childhood may be a formative stage for the development of physical activity cognitions and that promoting physical activity in children may require normative and control-based intervention.

Asian People↗
PubMed2005

Physical activity and sexual functioning after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: beneficial effects for patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, in a cross-sectional study, the relationships among physical activity, sexual functioning, and treatment type for 111 men who had undergone radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer within the past 18 months. Physical activity preserves the sexual functioning capacity of older men. However, little information exists regarding the association of physical activity with sexual functioning after treatment for localized prostate cancer. METHODS: We tested the main effects of physical activity and treatment procedure, as well as their interaction, using hierarchical regression analysis. We hypothesized that greater physical activity would relate to better reported sexual functioning and that this relationship would be moderated by the type of medical treatment. RESULTS: After controlling for age, medical comorbidity, fatigue, and urinary and bowel functioning, more physical activity was significantly associated with better sexual functioning, and the interaction of physical activity and treatment procedure added a significant amount of explained variance. Overall, 35% of the variance in sexual functioning was accounted for by the model. Post hoc tests of moderation revealed that men who underwent external beam radiotherapy had significantly greater sexual functioning scores as physical activity increased but the effect of physical activity on sexual function after brachytherapy and combination therapy was nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity was positively correlated with sexual functioning for those who underwent external beam radiotherapy. These relationships should be replicated and explored in a larger, longitudinal sample to ascertain whether the effects of physical activity in this at-risk population extend over time and protect men from treatment-related decrements in sexual functioning.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Factors associated with physical activity among older people--a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity improves survival and functional ability, and can improve quality of life. Few studies have examined factors associated with physical activity in older adults at a population level. This study examines factors associated with physical activity in the New South Wales (NSW) older population. METHODS: Data from a random survey of 8881 community-dwelling people aged 65+ years were examined. We used Cox's regression to analyze the influence of demographic, health, and social factors on physical activity. 'Adequate' physical activity was defined as at least 30 min of walking, moderate or vigorous activity on at least 5 days in the last week. Reported barriers to physical activity were also examined. RESULTS: Adequate physical activity was independently associated with sex (male), younger age, ability to travel independently, better physical functioning, lower psychological distress, rural residence, not having diabetes, adequate fruit and vegetable intake, and speaking a language other than English at home. No independent associations were found for good long distance eyesight, being a caregiver, living alone, age left school, employment status, fear of falling, or perception of neighborhood safety. Health problems were frequently reported barriers to physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: About half of older adults report adequate physical activity. These results will inform strategies to promote physical activity among older people.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Perceived health and physical functioning in postpoliomyelitis syndrome: a 6-year prospective follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To study prospectively the health status, and especially the physical functioning, of polio survivors with and without postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS), and to identify prognostic determinants of change in physical functioning. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study; measurements at baseline and after 1, 2, and 6 years. SETTING: University hospital in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six subjects with PPS and 27 without PPS. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) physical mobility category. RESULTS: Subjects with PPS had significantly poorer health status than subjects without PPS. No significant differences in mean NHP physical mobility scores between baseline and 6 years were found; both groups had improved after 1 year, after which there was a slow decline over the next 5 years. During the first 2 years, strength measurements showed little decline that was not related to changes in NHP physical mobility score. A physical performance test revealed no mean change in the first 2 years, but the subgroup with a decline above the 75th percentile eventually deteriorated 10.5+/-16.3 points on the NHP physical mobility category (P=.01) at 6 years from baseline. This subgroup had more extensive paresis than the other subjects, although it was not significant (P=.07). The extent of paresis at baseline was the only prognostic determinant for an increase in NHP physical mobility problems after 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with and without PPS did not differ with regard to changes in health status in a 6-year period. The fact that the extent of paresis was a prognostic factor for a decline in physical functioning is in accord with a (slow) decline in muscle mass, as a late effect of polio, that may lead to a decline in physical functioning as the reduced muscle capacity becomes less able to meet the demands of daily physical activities.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1999

Physical violence during pregnancy: maternal complications and birth outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between physical violence during the 12 months before delivery and maternal complications and birth outcomes. METHODS: We used population-based data from 6143 women who delivered live-born infants between 1993 and 1995 in South Carolina. Data on women's physical violence during pregnancy were based on self-reports of "partner-inflicted physical hurt and being involved in a physical fight." Outcome data included maternal antenatal hospitalizations, labor and delivery complications, low birth weights, and preterm births. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to measure the associations between physical violence, maternal morbidity, and birth outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical violence was 11.1%. Among women who experienced physical violence, 54% reported having been involved in physical fights only and 46% had been hurt by husbands or partners. In the latter group, 70% also reported having been involved in fighting. Compared with those not reporting physical violence, women who did were more likely to deliver by cesarean and be hospitalized before delivery for maternal complications such as kidney infection, premature labor, and trauma due to falls or blows to the abdomen. CONCLUSION: Physical violence during the 12 months before delivery is common and is associated with adverse maternal conditions. The findings support the need for research on how to screen for physical violence early in pregnancy and to prevent its consequences.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed2001

Measuring enjoyment of physical activity in adolescent girls.

BACKGROUND: Enjoyment has been implicated as a determinant of physical activity among youth, but advances in understanding its importance have been limited by the use of measures that were not adequately validated. The present study examined: (1) the factorial validity of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), and (2) the construct validity of PACES scores. METHODS: Adolescent girls (N=1797), who were randomly assigned to calibration (n=899) and cross-validation (n=898) samples, completed the PACES and measures of factors influencing enjoyment of physical education, physical activity, and sport involvement. The factorial validity of the PACES and the measure of factors influencing enjoyment of physical education was tested using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The hypothesized relationships among the measures were tested using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Unidimensional models fit the PACES and the measure of factors influencing enjoyment of physical education in the calibration and cross-validation samples. The hypothesized relationships between the PACES and the measures of factors influencing enjoyment of physical education, physical activity, and sport involvement were supported in the entire sample, were similar in African-American and Caucasian girls, and were independent of physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of factorial validity and convergent evidence for construct validity indicate that the PACES is a valid measure of physical activity enjoyment among adolescent girls, suitable for use as a mediator variable in interventions designed to increase physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Physical and mental health effects of intimate partner violence for men and women.

BACKGROUND: Few population-based studies have assessed the physical and mental health consequences of both psychological and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among women or men victims. This study estimated IPV prevalence by type (physical, sexual, and psychological) and associated physical and mental health consequences among women and men. METHODS: The study analyzed data from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) of women and men aged 18 to 65. This random-digit-dial telephone survey included questions about violent victimization and health status indicators. RESULTS: A total of 28.9% of 6790 women and 22.9% of 7122 men had experienced physical, sexual, or psychological IPV during their lifetime. Women were significantly more likely than men to experience physical or sexual IPV (relative risk [RR]=2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.1, 2.4) and abuse of power and control (RR=1.1, 95% CI=1.0, 1.2), but less likely than men to report verbal abuse alone (RR=0.8, 95% CI=0.7, 0.9). For both men and women, physical IPV victimization was associated with increased risk of current poor health; depressive symptoms; substance use; and developing a chronic disease, chronic mental illness, and injury. In general, abuse of power and control was more strongly associated with these health outcomes than was verbal abuse. When physical and psychological IPV scores were both included in logistic regression models, higher psychological IPV scores were more strongly associated with these health outcomes than were physical IPV scores. CONCLUSIONS: Both physical and psychological IPV are associated with significant physical and mental health consequences for both male and female victims.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Correlates of physical activity in urban Midwestern African-American women.

BACKGROUND: African-American women are at higher risk than white women of cardiovascular disease and stroke. In addition, fewer African-American women reap the cardiovascular benefits of exercise, because of low physical activity. The study goals were to identify personal, social environmental, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity of urban-dwelling, Midwestern, African-American women and to obtain their recommendations for increasing exercise in their communities. METHODS: A face-to-face interview (Women and Physical Activity Survey) covering personal, social environmental, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity was administered to 399 volunteer African-American women aged 20 to 50 years, living in Chicago. Physical activity was measured with questions on lifestyle and planned leisure-time activity (exercise) from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. RESULTS: The women were from a wide socioeconomic spectrum of education and income. Forty-two percent of the women met current recommendations for moderate or vigorous physical activity; 48% were insufficiently active; and 9% were inactive. The following groups of women were more likely to be physically active: women with at least a high school education; women with perceived good health; women who knew people who exercise; and women who viewed the neighborhood as safe. These findings were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions that target urban African-American women must address the safety of the physical environment and personal and social environmental correlates of physical activity, and they should focus especially on inactive women who have less than a high school education or perceive themselves to be in poor health.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Quantitative study of correlates of physical activity in women from diverse racial/ethnic groups: The Women's Cardiovascular Health Network Project--summary and conclusions.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is an important aspect of cardiovascular disease prevention. However, the populations that show high risk of cardiovascular disease also have high rates of physical inactivity. The purpose of this article was to summarize findings from the Women and Physical Activity Survey, part of the Women's Cardiovascular Health Network Project. The goal of the survey was to identify personal, social environmental, cultural, and physical environmental factors that are associated with physical activity status among a diverse group of women. METHODS: Seven universities were funded to study factors that influence physical activity among white, African American, Latina, and Native American women residing in rural, suburban, and urban living environments. An ecologic model and qualitative data from these population groups were used to design a quantitative questionnaire. The survey was implemented by telephone and face-to-face interviews in seven sites across the United States. RESULTS: Younger age, good general health, and high self-efficacy were the most consistent personal correlates associated with physical activity. Knowing people who exercise and attending religious services were the only social environmental factors with significant associations across population groups. With the exception of safety from crime, no physical environmental factors were consistently related to physical activity. Most groups had intervention suggestions that included access to facilities. CONCLUSION: This study identifies pertinent factors related to physical activity in women and addresses the differences in assessment among the groups. Because each group may have unique characteristics, it is important to assess all levels that could influence physical activity such as personal, social, environmental, and policy. The information can then be used to tailor interventions for the various groups.

Adult↗