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Motives and Barriers for Physical Activity among Low-Income Black Single Mothers

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Abstract

Physical activity is associated with positive health outcomes, yet previous evidence suggests that single mothers, Black women, and those with low-income levels have low rates of physical activity. The purpose of the present study was to examine health status, as well as barriers and motives for physical activity, among low-income, Black single mothers from an intersectionality framework. Participants (n = 32) in this cross-sectional, mixed methods study completed questionnaires to assess physical activity, health status, stress, and barriers to physical activity and then participated in one of six focus groups to explore physical activity motives and barriers. Although participants reported many risk factors for disease including obesity, stress, and family disease history, most participants were not engaging in behaviors that would improve health such as regular leisure-time physical activity. Participants cited being a role model, stress relief, and weight loss as motives for physical activity that were connected to their social identities as low-income, Black single mothers. Chronic stress and stressors, responsibilities associated with single motherhood, and lack of social and community supports were described as barriers to physical activity. Future researchers and practitioners should consider these specific motives and barriers when designing interventions to increase physical activity among low-income, Black single mothers. We recommend that these programs focus on: promoting motives for physical activity that are meaningful and specific to this subpopulation of mothers, reducing stress, and enhancing affordable physical activity opportunities in the community for single mothers and their children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, 601 Ficklen Drive, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA

    Deirdre Dlugonski

  2. Center for Sport Leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1300 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 842003, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA

    Tiesha R. Martin

  3. Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, 8D Natatorium, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA

    Emily L. Mailey

  4. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, 2100 Bull Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, USA

    Emily Pineda

Authors
  1. Deirdre Dlugonski
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  2. Tiesha R. Martin
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  3. Emily L. Mailey
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  4. Emily Pineda
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Correspondence to Deirdre Dlugonski.

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Funding

This study was funded by start-up funds provided by the university to the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interests to declare related to this study.

Ethical Approval

All study procedures were reviewed and approved by a university Institutional Review Board. Participants who expressed interest in the study were screened for inclusion criteria over the phone and scheduled for one of six data collection sessions. Upon arrival, research staff confirmed inclusion criteria with participants and provided a description of the project.

Informed Consent

Participants provided written informed consent before completing any data collection procedures. Participants were free to withdraw from the study at any time.

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Dlugonski, D., Martin, T.R., Mailey, E.L. et al. Motives and Barriers for Physical Activity among Low-Income Black Single Mothers. Sex Roles 77, 379–392 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-016-0718-7

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