Physical activity engagement among Black African-born immigrant women in the United States: Results from the 2011 to 2018 National Health Interview Surveys

Abstract

Introduction

Black women in the US, including Black African immigrant women, have the lowest rates of physical activity (PA). This study aimed to identify sociodemographic, anthropometric, and health characteristics associated with PA engagement among African-born Black women immigrants.

Methods

The sample consisted of 736 Black African-born women respondents the 2011–2018 National Health Interview Surveys. The outcomes of interest were aerobic activity, strengthening activity, and combined aerobic and strengthening activity. Independent variables of interest included sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and anthropometrics. Descriptive statistics and multivariable adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results and Discussion

Of the 736 women, 43.1 % were sufficiently active in aerobic activities and 17.4 % met the strengthening activity guidelines. Overall, only 15.7 % of the participants met the guidelines for total PA (aerobic and strength), while 55 % did not meet any guidelines. Participants who consumed alcohol were more likely to be sufficiently active in aerobic activity compared to those who abstained (AOR = 3.54, 95 % CI [2.43,5.16]). Factors negatively associated with sufficient aerobic activity were smoking (AOR = 0.42, 95 % CI [0.19,0.92] and having obesity (AOR = 0.50, 95 % CI [0.33,0.75]). The odds of meeting strengthening activity guidelines were greater among those with high school education (AOR = 2.94, 95 % CI [1.20, 7.20]) and more than high school (AOR = 2.54, 95 % CI [1.09,5.95]) than among those with less than high school education, Additionally, being in the US 15 years or more (AOR = 2.15, 95 % CI [1.18–3.91]). and a current drinker (AOR = 2.14, 95 % CI [1.22–3.75]) was positively associated with meeting strength guidelines.

Implications

Findings provide missing information about Black African immigrant women's participation in PA and suggest that more research is needed to understand how African immigrant women make decisions about PA. The findings join calls to disaggregate data and health related research on Africans.