Demographic and psychosocial correlates of physical activity among African Americans

Objective: To examine physical activity among participants in the Wellness for African Americans Through Churches (WATCH) project. Methods: Both focus-group and survey methodologies were employed. From surveys, frequencies and metabolic equivalents (METs) were calculated for recreational, household, and occupational activity. Results: Half of respondents reported recreational activity ≥5 days per week; most reported household activity. Women had significantly lower levels of recreational and occupational, but not household activity. Recreational and occupational levels decreased with age. Conclusions: This sample appears to meet exercise guidelines. Psychosocial factors may be important for intervention in recreational, but not household or occupational activity.