Correlates of Lifestyle Physical Activity Among Young Arab American Women

Young Arab American women are at risk for cardiovascular disease, but there is limited data on their physical activity (PA) engagement.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PA and its correlates in young Arab American women. The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe self-reported lifestyle PA behaviors of young Arab American women and (2) examine the relationship between their self-reported lifestyle PA, device-measured lifestyle PA (combined moderate/vigorous and steps), and potentially associated factors (demographics, physical measures, individual factors, and behavior cognition factors).

This cross-sectional study was conducted with women 18 to 35 years of age and Arab American (n = 50) in the Midwest Region of the United States. Participants wore ActiGraph GT3X-BT monitors for 7 days; self-report measures included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, demographics, acculturation, discrimination, religiosity, self-efficacy, and social support.

The mean age of participants was 25.5 years (SD: 5.5; range: 18-35). Per ActiGraph, the average daily steps were 5946 (SD: 2783); only 24% met the moderate-intensity PA guidelines. Self-efficacy was significantly associated with increased moderate-to-vigorous PA (B = 0.37; P = .012).

The average daily steps for the young Arab American women in this study were of low active classification. More than 75% of the women failed to meet the recommended weekly moderate/vigorous PA guidelines. Our study supports the importance of targeting and tailoring PA interventions on young Arab American women who have low self-efficacy for overcoming barriers to lifestyle PA.