Physical Activity Patterns Among Black Immigrant Women From Africa: Insights From The NHIS 2011-2018 Survey

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is a primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention method for noncommunicable diseases. Women, racial, and ethnic minorities have lower levels of PA. Black women in the United States (US), including Black African immigrant women, have the lowest rates of PA. PURPOSE: To identify sociodemographic and health characteristics associated with PA engagement among African-born Black women immigrants. METHODS: We used data from the 2011-2018 National Health Interview Survey. The sample was 736 Black African-born women (18 years and older). The outcomes of interest are PA measures which include aerobic activity, strengthening activity, and combined aerobic and strengthening activity. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and anthropometrics. Descriptive statistics and multivariable adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the study sample (N = 736) participants did strengthening exercises less than 2 times a week (82.6%) and did not meet any PA guidelines (55.2%). Age (p = 0.034), marital status (p = 0.013), years in the US (0.019), alcohol consumption (<0.001) and BMI (p = 0.034) were significantly associated with the status of participation in different types of PA. Current drinkers were more likely to be sufficiently active compared to abstainers (OR 3.54, 95% CI 2.43-5.16; p = <0.001). Respondents who have lived in the US for 15 years or more had higher odds of meeting the strengthening guidelines compared to those with less than 5 years (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.18-3.91, p = 0.013). Current drinkers had higher odds of participating in strengthening activity compared to abstainers (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.22-3.75, p = 0.009). Respondents of high school and more than high school education had higher odds of meeting the strengthening guidelines compared to those with less than high school education (OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.20-7.20, p = 0.019, and OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.09-5.95 p = 0.032), respectively. Neither education nor income were related to PA engagement, even though both are often related to PA in other samples. CONCLUSIONS: Individual-level factors including demographic, behavioral and anthropometric factors were associated with aerobic and strengthening activities independent of potential confounders.