Associations Between Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors, Perceptions, and Attitudes Towards Muscle-Strengthening Exercises Among African-Born Black Immigrant Women in the United States

Muscle-strengthening exercises (MSE) improve muscular strength, balance, endurance, mental health, and decrease the risk of noncommunicable diseases. Studies show that immigrant Black women do not adhere to MSE guidelines. The purpose of the study is to determine the associations between demographic, socioeconomic, and community-level characteristics in African-born Black immigrant women meeting guidelines and to describe their perceptions and attitudes towards MSE. Data were collected using an online cross-sectional survey from 220 African-born Black immigrant women. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and anthropometrics. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. NVivo was used to analyze the qualitative data. About 47.3% met the MSE guidelines. Age, perception of weight, PA with a member of household, PA with someone outside of household, and the built environment were associated with MSE engagement. Former and current drinkers, those living with a chronic disease and those who used their built environment less were more likely to meet guidelines. Notions of health and fitness, ideal body image perceptions, knowledge gaps, time constraints, and perceived difficulty of MSE were cited as reasons for not meeting guidelines. African-born Black immigrant women care about health and interventions can capitalize on this to promote increased participation.