Using Multi-theory Model of Health Behavior Change to Initiate & Sustain Physical Activity among African American Women

The specific objective of this project is to assess whether an intervention based on the constructs of the multi-theory model (MTM) can result in immediate and long-term behavior of regularity of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. The community-based study will utilize a randomized control trial (RCT) design in which 30 participants will be assigned to experimental group (MTM-based intervention) and 30 participants will be in the control group (knowledge -based intervention). The MTM-based intervention (experimental) group) will be compared to a knowledge-based intervention (control) group) immediately after the intervention and three months after the intervention. The community-based components involves recruiting women from local churches and civic organizations.  The community participants will engage in participatory dialogue based on principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR) to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of physical activity, discuss the pathways to improving behavioral confidence, and how to influence other constructs of MTM.  Their input will be utilized to  shape the intervention built upon the constructs of the multi-theory model. Adhering to MTM constructs will provide opportunities for the participants to contribute to the discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of engaging in PA, analyzing the environment in which they must exercise and identify personal, social and environmental resources that can increase likelihood of participating in physical exercise.  Once empirically-tested, the MTM may identify strategies that can aid the participants in overcoming the common barriers that prevent physical activity and fight obesity.