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

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