The Self-Engaging Lifelong Fitness Individual Exercise (SELFIE) Program for Obese African American Women: A Pilot Feasibility and Efficacy Study
Mitchell, Jacqueline
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Abstract
Background: Nearly 60% of African American women (AAW) are classified as obese, which is nearly twice the rate seen in Caucasian women. This disparity is linked, in part, to lower levels of physical activity (PA) and higher levels of sedentary behavior in AAW compared to other racial groups. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the Self-Engaging Lifelong Fitness Individual Exercise (SELFIE) Program in strengthening self-efficacy and outcome expectations for physical activity, increasing time spent in physical activity and improving health outcomes including weight loss, blood pressure, body mass index, and waist circumference among AAW. Methods: A pilot study was conducted utilizing the four sources of self-efficacy and outcome expectations (mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physical and emotional state) to motivate AAW to engage in physical activity. Data collection included questionnaires and assessments of height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure at three time points: baseline, the end of the 12-week intervention, and 6 months postintervention. Results: The sample of 15 AAW had a mean age of 57.33 years, most participants had graduate-level education (66.7%), were employed full-time (66.7%), and single (40.0%). At the end of the 6-month intervention there were no statistically significant changes in self-efficacy (p = .63), outcome expectations (p = .93), systolic blood pressure (p = .13), or weight (p = .13). There was a significant improvement in time spent in physical activity (p < .001), diastolic blood pressure (p < .05), body mass index (p < .05), and waist circumference (p < .001). There was evidence of feasibility as all components of the intervention were delivered as intended, receipt with the achievement of 80% or greater on the PA knowledge test, and enactment based on posting of pictures and wearing of the Fitbit accelerometer. Conclusion: This pilot study supports the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the SELFIE program as a virtual intervention for obese AAW to increase time spent in physical activity and improve some health outcomes. These findings warrant further research through larger, longitudinal randomized controlled trials to confirm the program’s efficacy.
