Abstract
Background: African American women are at high risk
of acquiring chronic diseases due to sedentary lifestyles. This objective of
this article was to perform a narrative systematic review of physical activity
interventions among African American women published between 2009 and 2015.
Methods: A review of literature in following databases: Academic
Search Premier, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health), ERIC
(Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and SPORTDiscus
was performed to locate interventions promoting physical activity among African
American women.
Results: The search yielded 13 interventions. All the studies
were conducted within the United States. It was found that walking coupled with
healthy food choices were salient strategies in the interventions. Studies
using social support along with healthy diet were found to be more efficacious
in fostering physical activity among African American women.
Conclusion: Walking,
social support and a healthy diet were found to be significant strategies
promoting physical activity in African American women. Physical activity for
African American women must build on the constructs of healthier food choices
and social support.