USING THE Internet TO INCREASE Physical Activity IN A FAITH COMMUNITY

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Behavior Change
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Physical inactivity is a major 21st-century public health challenge.
• Minority populations face higher rates of obesity and related diseases, necessitating culturally tailored interventions.
• African Americans (AAs) often engage with churches for holistic well-being, presenting a unique setting for health promotion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot a no-cost, 8-week, Internet-delivered physical activity intervention within an African American church setting.
• To assess the intervention's impact on physical activity levels and sedentary time among participants.
• To explore the feasibility of using church-based digital health strategies for minority populations.

Main Methods:

• An 8-week Internet-delivered intervention was implemented in an African American church.
• Participants received resources and support to increase physical activity.
• Objective and self-reported measures assessed changes in activity and sitting time.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in physical activity levels was observed among participants.
• A notable decrease in the time spent sitting was recorded.
• The intervention demonstrated feasibility within the church setting.

Conclusions:

• Internet-delivered interventions integrated into African American churches can effectively promote physical activity.
• This approach offers a scalable and culturally relevant strategy to address physical inactivity in minority communities.
• Digital health interventions hold promise for improving public health outcomes in underserved populations.