Journal Article

Ethnic‐specific suggestions for physical activity based on existing recreational physical activity preferences of New Zealand women

Shultz, Sarah P., Kruger, Rozanne, O'Brien, Wendy J., George, Lily, Firestone, Ridvan T.

2019

Overview

Recreational physical activities of New Zealand women were examined to develop ethnic‐specific suggestions encouraging physical activity (PA) participation as a targeted approach to reduce obesity rates among different groups. Healthy Māori, Pacific and European women (n=331; 16–45 years of age) completed an online Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess recreational PA and adherence to PA guidelines. Existing PA preferences were tailored to make ethnic‐specific suggestions aimed at increasing PA participation. Achievement of PA guidelines was: Māori 74%; Pacific 60%; European 70%. Highest participation across all women was for walking (Māori 72%, Pacific 60%, European 83%), followed by floor exercise (Māori 54%, Pacific 37%, European 56%). Gym‐type activities (e.g. weights, aerobics) and jogging were also common across ethnic groups. Group/team activities (dance, netball, touch football) were among the top 10 activities for Māori and Pacific, but not European women. Obesity rates among specific ethnic groups of New Zealand women might be reduced by promoting activities that are: family/whānau‐oriented (netball, touch), community‐linked (hula, dance) and outdoor‐based. Tailoring existing PA preferences to develop ethnic‐specific sets of activity suggestions could be important avenues to increase PA participation, improving the PA habits and subsequent health of New Zealand women and their communities.

• Publisher: Elsevier B.V,Elsevier Limited,Elsevier
• Subject: Activity based / Activity preferences / Adolescent / Adult / Aerobic exercise / Body mass index / Cardiovascular disease / Chronic illnesses / Cross-Cultural Comparison / Cross-Sectional Studies / cultural / Cultural Characteristics / Cultural differences / Dance / Data collection / Diabetes / Ethnic factors / Ethnic groups / Ethnicity / Ethnicity - statistics & numerical data / Exercise / Exercise for women / Families & family life / Female / Football / Guidelines / Habits / Health and hygiene / Humans / Internet / Life Style - ethnology / Maoris / Metabolism / Middle Aged / Minority & ethnic groups / Minority women / Netball / New Zealand / Obesity / PA guidelines / Participation / Physical activity / Physical fitness / Physical fitness for women / Public health / Questionnaires / Recreation / Religion / RPAQ / Running / Soccer / Socioeconomic factors / Touch / Walking / Weight control / White People - statistics & numerical data / Women / Women, Maori / Womens health / Young Adult