PARCS: A Safety Net Community-Based Fitness Center for Low-Income Adults

If you need an accessible version of this item, please submit a remediation request.
Date
2016
Language
English
Embargo Lift Date
Committee Members
Degree
Degree Year
Department
Grantor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Found At
Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) and fitness are critical to maintaining health and avoiding chronic disease. Limited access to fitness facilities in low-income urban areas has been identified as a contributor to low PA participation and poor fitness. Objectives: This research describes community-based fitness centers established for adults living in low-income, urban communities and characterizes a sample of its members. Methods: The community identified a need for physical fitness opportunities to improve residents’ health. Three community high schools were host sites. Resources were combined to renovate and staff facilities, acquire equipment, and refer patients to exercise. The study sample included 170 members older than age 18 who completed demographic, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life surveys and a fitness evaluation. Neighborhood-level U.S. Census data were obtained for comparison. Results: The community-based fitness centers resulted from university, public school, and hospital partnerships offering safe, accessible, and affordable exercise opportunities. The study sample mean body mass index was 35 + 7.6 kg/m2 (class II obesity), mean age was 50 ± 12.5 years, 66% were Black, 72% were female, 66% completed some college or greater, and 71% had an annual household income of less than $25,000 and supported 2.2 dependents. Participants had moderate confidence for exercise participation and low fitness levels. When compared with census data, participants were representative of their communities. Conclusion: This observational study reveals a need for affordable fitness centers for low-income adults. We demonstrate a model where communities and organizations strategically leverage resources to address disparities in physical fitness and health.

Description
item.page.description.tableofcontents
item.page.relation.haspart
Cite As
Keith, N., de Groot, M., Mi, D., Alexander, K., & Kaiser, S. (2016). PARCS: A Safety Net Community-Based Fitness Center for Low-Income Adults. Progress in Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, and Action, 10(2), 185–195. http://doi.org/10.1353/cpr.2016.0038
ISSN
Publisher
Series/Report
Sponsorship
Major
Extent
Identifier
Relation
Journal
Progress in Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, and Action
Source
Publisher
Alternative Title
Type
Article
Number
Volume
Conference Dates
Conference Host
Conference Location
Conference Name
Conference Panel
Conference Secretariat Location
Version
Final published version
Full Text Available at
This item is under embargo {{howLong}}