Identifying Barriers to Physical Activity Among African American Women with Asthma

African American Women (AAW) are disproportionately impacted by both physical inactivity and asthma. The aims of this study were to: 1) understand barriers to physical activity among AAW with asthma; 2) obtain feedback from AAW on an evidence-based walking intervention; and 3) modify the intervention using input from AAW with asthma.

Focus groups and interviews were conducted with sedentary AAW with uncontrolled asthma to identify barriers to walking. Women also suggestions for tailoring an existing walking intervention. Qualitative data were coded using domains from the Behavior Change Wheel and guided modifications of the existing walking intervention to tailor the content for sedentary AAW with asthma.

Six focus groups (2-4 /group) and five interviews were completed. Women (n=20) represented an obese (37 kg/m² ± 11), middle-aged (46 years ± 15) and low-income population. Barriers to physical activity were mapped to 8 theoretical domains: 1) Limited physical capability; 2) Lack of knowledge; 3) Lack of self-monitoring skills; 4) Complex decision making processes; 5) Lack of areas to walk; 6) Lack of social support; 7) Beliefs about consequences; 8) Beliefs about capability. To target these barriers, the existing walking intervention was modified to include an asthma education session, text messages, monthly group meetings, a walking session and informational materials.

AAW with asthma reported unique barriers to engaging in physical activity. An assessment of the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of a modified intervention that addresses these barriers is warranted to address physical inactivity and poor asthma outcomes among AAW with asthma.