Abstract
Background
Immigrant and refugee populations arrive to the U.S. healthier than the general population,
but the longer they reside, the more they approximate the cardiovascular risk profiles
of the country. Among women, these declines are partly mediated by less physical activity
and lower dietary quality upon immigration. Given the complex forces that influence
these behaviors, a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach is appropriate.
Therefore, a socioculturally responsive physical activity and nutrition program was
created with and for immigrant and refugee women in Rochester, Minnesota, through
a CBPR approach.
Methods
Focus groups informed program content and revealed principles for designing the sessions.
A 6-week program with two, 90-minute classes per week was conducted among 45 women
(Hispanic, Somali, Cambodian, and non-immigrant African American). Average attendance
was 22.5 women per class; 34 women completed the evaluation.
Results
Evaluation revealed high acceptability (average overall score of 4.85 out of 5 on
the Physical Activity Class Satisfaction Questionnaire). After the intervention, participants
were more likely to exercise regularly (p ≤ .001). They reported higher health-related quality of life (p ≤ .001) and self-efficacy for diet (p = .36) and exercise (p = .10). Likewise, there were trends for weight loss (87 vs 83.4 kg; p = .65), decreased waist circumference (99.6 vs 95.5 cm; p = .35), and lower blood pressure (125/80 vs 122/76 mm/Hg; p = .27).
Conclusion
A CBPR approach to design and implement a socioculturally responsive fitness program
was highly acceptable to immigrant and refugee women and demonstrated promising outcomes.
Further testing of physical activity and nutrition interventions that arise organically
from target communities are needed.
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Biography
Mark L. Wieland, MD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. He is a primary care physician whose work focuses on community-based participatory research with immigrant and refugee populations.
Biography
Jennifer A. Weis, RN, MS, is a registered nurse at the Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities. Her work is focused on health literacy and community-based participatory research.
Biography
Tiffany Palmer, BA, is a research assistant at Olmsted Medical Center, Rochester. Her work is focused on fostering community–academic collaborations through community-based participatory research.
Biography
Miriam Goodson, MS, is a community liaison for the Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics, and Latin Americans in Rochester, Minnesota. Her work is focused on community advocacy and health equity.
Biography
Sheena Loth, BA, is a community liaison for the Rochester Cambodian community. Her work is focused on community advocacy and health equity.
Biography
Fatuma Omer, BS, is a community liaison for the Somali community and the Multicultural Learning Center in Rochester, Minnesota. Her work is focused on community advocacy, mentorship, and health equity.
Biography
Adeline Abbenyi, BS, is a fitness specialist at the Rochester Area Family YMCA. Her work is focused on addressing barriers to physical activity among immigrant and refugee women.
Biography
Karen Krucker, RN, is a registered nurse at the Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities. She is also a fitness specialist whose work in this area is focused on addressing barriers to physical activity among immigrant and refugee women.
Biography
Kim Edens, MS, RD, is a research dietician at the Mayo Clinic Center for Translational Science Activities. Her work is focused on dietary assessment, research, and counseling. For this project, she is focused on addressing barriers to healthy nutrition among immigrant and refugee women.
Biography
Irene G. Sia, MD, MSc, is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. She is a physician whose work focuses on community-based participatory research with immigrant and refugee populations.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 12, 2011
Accepted:
October 25,
2011
Received in revised form:
August 23,
2011
Received:
February 22,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
