A Stage-Targeted Physical Activity Intervention among a Predominantly African-American Low-Income Primary Care Population

PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy of a stage-targeted physical activity intervention among low-income African-Americans. METHODS: 207 participants were randomly assigned to groups and administered baseline measures. Intervention participants were mailed stage-targeted physical activity information, whereas control participants received low-sodium diet brochures. Measures were readministered by phone 1 and 6 months later, with response rates of 69% and 46%, respectively. RESULTS: 69% of participants were African-American and 64% had a monthly household income of < $1000. A doubly-multivariate analysis of variance indicated that intervention participants reported more physical activity than control participants at 1 month (F(1, 204) = 4.03, p < .05). Unlike control participants, intervention participants reported significant stage progression at 1 month, according to a McNemar chi2 test. Gains attenuated by 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The current study supports the use of this intervention among low-income African-Americans. Limitations include use of self-report measures and small sample size.