PERCEPTIONS AND BELIEFS ABOUT EXERCISE, REST, AND HEALTH AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS

Ten focus group interviews were held with 53 male and female African-Americans aged 13 years to older than 65 years to assess perceptions and beliefs toward exercise. Many participants expressed the opinion that African-Americans performed physical labor in their jobs and needed to rest rather than exercise during their off-work time. Another frequent comment was the belief that whites perceived exercise as a health benefit more often than African-Americans. Friends were believed to have a greater influence on exercise habits than family or cultural background.