Exploring associations between church-based social support and physical activity

Objective: This study tested associations between church-based instrumental and informational social support and meeting physical activity guidelines. Methods: Cross-sectional data were analyzed for 1625 rural residents using logistic regression. Results: Associations were found between instrumental social support and performing some amount of physical activity but not between the 2 forms of support and meeting physical activity guidelines. Conclusion: Instrumental social support might help initiation of physical activity. Given that 54.1% of US adults get no leisure-time physical activity at the recommended minimum level, instrumental social support might be important in considering physical activity programs.