Background: South Asian Indian immigrants residing in the United States are at high risk of cardiovascular disease (prevalence ≥35%), diabetes (prevalence 45.4%), and stroke (prevalence 26.5%). This study examined the effect of culturally relevant physical activity interventions on the improvement of physiological measures and average daily steps in at-risk midlife South Asian Indian immigrant women. Methods: In this 2-arm interventional research design, the dance (n = 25) and the motivational phone calls group (n = 25), attended social cognitive theory–based motivational workshops every 2 weeks for the first 12 weeks. Data for weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol level, and 12-lead electrocardiogram were collected at the baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Results: Significant differences were seen in body weight (F2,94 = 4.826, P = .024; ), waist circumference (F2,92 = 7.496, P = .001; ), systolic blood pressure (F2,94 = 19.865, P = .000; ), triglyceride (F2,94 = 11.111, P = .000; ), cholesterol (F2,94 = 8.925, P = .001; ), blood sugar level (F2,94 = 8.851, P = .000; ), and average daily steps across both intervention groups over time (F2,96 = 30.94, P = .000; ). Conclusion: Culturally relevant motivational workshops with Indian dance and walking are an innovative approach to increasing lifestyle physical activity among South Asian Indian immigrant women.
Popular Health Promotion Strategies Among Chinese and East Indian Immigrant Women
