Abstract
Background
Despite ample evidence demonstrating the protective effect of physical activity, the
uptake of regular physical activity among South Asian (SA) women remains relatively
low. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and health impacts of
implementing a culture- and gender-specific physical activity among SA immigrant women
residing in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Ontario, Canada.
Methods
A community-based mixed methods approach combining cohort pretest and posttest design
and qualitative methods employing in depth interviews was used. Twenty-seven SA women
from the GTA participated in a 6-week, 2 days per week, Bollywood Dance exercise program
led by a female SA instructor.
Findings
The participation rate was considerably high (85%) and approximately 82% of the participants
attended 10 or more of the classes offered. The participants' physical measurements
(weight, waist and hip, and body mass index) decreased, although not significantly,
over the 6-week period and there was an improvement in their physical, mental, and
social health. During the face-to-face interviews, participants reported feeling less
stressed and tired, being more mentally and physically robust, and having a sense
of fulfillment and self-satisfaction. The only common criticism expressed was that
the 6-week duration of the intervention was too short.
Conclusion
The results showed that the Bollywood Dance was a feasible strategy in engaging SA
immigrant women in physical activity. The key aspects when designing culture- and
gender-specific dance interventions include community participation and active engagement
in planning and implementation of the program, a supportive environment, same gender
and culturally attuned dance instructor, easy access, and minimal to no cost.
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Biography
Mandana Vahabi holds a PhD in Nursing and a Masters of Health Science in Epidemiology and Community Health from the University of Toronto. Dr. Vahabi is currently an Associate Professor at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing at Ryerson University. She is Co-Director of Center for Global Health and Health Equity.
Biography
Dr. Cynthia Damba, MHSc is a physician from East Africa and holds a Masters of Health Science in Epidemiology and Community Health from University of Toronto. She is currently a Senior Epidemiologist at Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 06, 2014
Accepted:
September 24,
2014
Received in revised form:
September 23,
2014
Received:
March 22,
2014
Footnotes
Financial Support: Financial support for this study was provided by Ryerson SSHRC Institutional Grant (SIG) and Ryerson Faculty of Community Services SRC Grant. The funding agreement ensured the authors' independence in designing the study, interpreting the data, writing, and publishing the report.
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
