Identifying Barriers to Fitness in Young Black Girls

Findings from a recent study indicate that young black girls prefer sedentary behaviors over active ones. The study, published in the October issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2004; 27 [3], 218–23), also found that caregivers considered television viewing a safe method of supervision. According to the study authors, there is little research on “household and physical environment barriers to physical activity,” especially among minority populations at high risk for obesity.

Twelve girls, with a mean age of 7.8 years, and their 11 primary caregivers participated. Barriers discovered in the study included a perceived lack of affordable and accessible recreation facilities and low caregiver motivation. Respondents identified walking and low-cost, popular activities such as jumping rope, hopscotch and dance as potential intervention strategies.