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Physical Activity Influences in a Disadvantaged African American Community and the Communities' Proposed Solutions

Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Heath, Education, and Human Development, Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina

Dawn K. Wilson, PhD

Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina

Sara Wilcox, PhD

Department of Exercise Science with the Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina

Jacqueline Buck, MA

Department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior with the Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina

Barbara E. Ainsworth, PhD

Department of Exercise and Wellness at Arizona State University in Mesa, Arizona

The purpose of this assessment is to increase our understanding of how safety and environmental factors influence physical activity among African American residents living in a low-income, high-crime neighborhood and to get input from these residents about how to best design physical activity interventions for their neighborhood. Twenty-seven African American adult residents of a low-income, high-crime neighborhood in a suburban southeastern community participated in three focus groups. Participants were asked questions about perceptions of what would help them, their families, and their neighbors be more physically active. Two independent raters coded the responses into themes. Participants suggested three environmental approaches in an effort to increase physical activity: increasing law enforcement, community connectedness and social support, and structured programs. Findings suggest that safety issues are an important factor for residents living in disadvantaged conditions and that the residents know how they want to make their neighborhoods healthier.

Key Words: assessment • environment • safety • community solutions • physical activity

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