Physical Activity and Education Program for Somali Women

University of California San Diego

Status: Terminated

Conditions: Sedentary Lifestyle

Treatments: Behavioral: Physical Activity intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02254902

ACS-MRSG-13-069

Details and patient eligibility

About

There is a significant need for culturally adapted and effective health education programs to address rising rates of obesity and chronic disease concerns for refugee communities. Physical activity has been identified as an important prevention tool to prevent numerous chronic health conditions. This research tests the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted physical activity intervention for sedentary adult Somali women. Study participants will be randomized to a 3-month physical activity program or a wait-list control group. The primary outcome is increases in physical activity between baseline and the end of the program as measured by pedometer.

Full description

Participants in the physical activity program will participate in 12 weekly 1.5-hour sessions focused on increasing physical activity. The group sessions will include participating in physical activity as well as group discussions on the barriers and opportunities for increasing physical activity in their daily life. The 12-week program covers educational topics related to physical activity (e.g. overcoming barriers to activity, exercising safely, relapse prevention strategies) and the program gradually increases the amount of physical activity completed during the group sessions over the course of the 12 weeks. Over a 3-month wait period, individuals in the wait-list control group will be offered monthly sessions on health and wellness topics before being offered the physical activity program. Measurement visits will occur at baseline, at the end of the12-week program, and approximately 12-weeks after the end of the intervention. During the measurement sessions participants will complete assessments related to their physical activity and other health behaviors.

Enrollment: 27 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Sedentary (less than 90 minutes per week of moderate or vigorous physical activity)
• Self-identify as Somali
• Planning on living in the area for the next 6 months
• Ability to attend 12-weeks of in-person group sessions at a designated community site

Exclusion criteria

• Currently pregnant or within 3 months of delivery
• BMI greater than or equal to 40
• Medical conditions or physical problems that interfere with physical activity or require medical supervision to exercise
• Have another member of the household participating in the study
• Employment by one of the collaborating organizations

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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27 participants in 2 patient groups

Physical Activity

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the Physical Activity intervention arm of the study receive culturally-modified, materials through participation in 12 weekly 1-.5-hour sessions focused on increasing daily step counts and bouts of moderate intensity physical activity. The group sessions include participation in different forms of physical activity as well as group discussions on the barriers and opportunities for increasing physical activity in daily life.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Physical Activity intervention

Wait List Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the Wait List Control will be offered the program after a 3-month wait period. While waiting for the program, participants are offered to attend monthly sessions on various wellness and prevention topics.