Utilization of a free fitness center-based exercise referral program among women with chronic disease risk factors.

Publisher: Springer Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 7600747 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1573-3610 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00945145 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Community Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Amsterdam : Springer
Original Publication: New York, Human Sciences Press.

Chronic Disease* ; Exercise* ; Referral and Consultation*; Fitness Centers/*statistics & numerical data; Adult ; Community Health Services ; Female ; Fitness Centers/economics ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance ; Risk Factors

Physical activity (PA) reduces the risk for a number of chronic diseases including heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus type 2. However, most Americans do not meet expert recommendations for exercise, and minorities and low-income persons are the most inactive. Community-based approaches to promoting PA include primary care exercise referral programs. This study examines patient characteristics associated with utilization of a community health center-based exercise referral program. Adult female patients of a community health center with an affiliated fitness center, in Boston, MA, were included in the study if they received a referral to the fitness center from their primary care provider. Demographic and medical information was abstracted from the medical chart, and fitness records were abstracted to measure activation of a fitness center membership (creation of an account denoting at least an initial visit) and utilization over time. Overall, 503 (40%) of the 1,254 referred women in the study sample activated their membership. Black women were almost 60% more likely to activate their membership (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.2), and women with higher co-morbidity counts were almost 45% more likely to activate (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-2.0). Once activated, a minority of women participated at levels likely to improve cardiometabolic fitness. Of the 503 activations, 96 (19%) had no participation, 359 (71%) had low participation, and only 48 (10%) had high participation. No independent predictors of participation were identified. These findings suggest that program design may benefit from developing activation, initial participation, and retention strategies that address population-specific barriers.

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Date Created: 20140423 Date Completed: 20160515 Latest Revision: 20211021

20240628

10.1007/s10900-014-9874-2

24752958