Women Bound to Be Active (Year 3 & 4): Can a Book Club Help Women Overcome Barriers to Physical Activity and Improve Self-Worth?

Little progress has been made toward increasing physical activity (PA) in women. This study aimed to determine if an 8-month theory-based book club intervention (Women Bound to Be Active) was effective in increasing: (a) selfworth, (b) benefits relative to barriers to PA, and (c) PA in women (n=51). Findings suggested a book-club was effective for improving: self-worth, the benefits relative to barriers to PA, and possibly participation in PA. This is an innovative model to help women become more active and learn skills that may enable them to be active on their own long after a PA program has ended. Introduction Meeting the recommendations for physical activity (PA) (i.e., participation in 30 minutes of PA on most if not all days of the week) is a daunting task for most women (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2008; Eyler & Vest, 2002). Little progress has been made toward increasing PA participation in women over the past 10 years. The number of women who are completely inactive has hovered around 15% since 2001(CDC, 2007). A significant amount of evidence suggests that women are less likely to be active compared to men and that activity decreases with age (Caspersen, Pereira, & Curran, 2000). Eyler and Vest (2002) reported that women enjoy sedentary pursuits (e.g., reading, television) because these activities are seen as “more relaxing”. Health promotion professionals continue to conduct research aimed at designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions for women that may help them increase their PA participation and adherence. Some suggest that women are more likely to increase activity when interventions emphasize overcoming barriers and promote perceived benefits to PA (Juarbe, Turok, & Perez-Stable, 2002; White & Ransdell, 2003). Others believe that women who set goals, have some type of support, are able to overcome barriers, find activities they enjoy, participate in lifestyle activity, and have higher levels of self-efficacy and/or physical self-worth are more likely to start a PA program; however, adherence remains problematic (White, Ransdell, Vener, & Flohr, 2005). Huberty, Ransdell, Sidman, Flohr, Shultz, & Grosshans et al. (2008a) studied women who participated in a 12-week PA behavior change program (UTAH-FIT) and were still active one to three years after the intervention had ended. The primary factor that promoted ongoing PA in these women was their self-worth (Huberty et al., 2008a). Women who remained active reported valuing themselves and their quality of life. They also reported prioritizing themselves over other demands, finding activities they enjoyed, and focusing on improving quality of life rather than body image as it relates to PA participation. (Huberty et al., 2008a).