This article provides an overview of the development, implementation, and baseline findings from a statewide faith-based physical activity (PA) initiative. The 3-year program is training African Methodist Episcopal volunteers across South Carolina to implement programs to increase PA in their congregations. To date, 98 churches have been trained. Interviews done with a random sample (n = 39) indicated that 54% are implementing at least one PA program. The baseline telephone survey (N = 571) estimates that 27.8% of the population is regularly active, 54.9% underactive, and 17.3% sedentary. Baseline rates of regular PA were higher in those who were younger, healthier, and nonsmokers. Challenges to date have included obtaining rosters and implementing a large-scale program with limited resources. Interest in the program has been strong and supported by church leaders. Current efforts are on training additional churches and working with those already trained to support sustainability.

Faith-based interventions hold promise for increasing physical activity (PA) and thereby reducing health disparities. This paper examines the perceived influences on PA participation, the link between spirituality and health behaviors and the role of the church in promoting PA in African Americans. Participants (n = 44) were adult members of African American churches in South Carolina. In preparation for a faith-based intervention, eight focus groups were conducted with sedentary or underactive participants. Groups were stratified by age (<55 years versus >or=55 years), geography and gender. Four general categories were determined from the focus groups: spirituality, barriers, enablers and desired PA programs. Personal, social, community and environmental barriers and enablers were described by both men and women, with no apparent differences by age. Additionally, both men and women mentioned aerobics, walking programs, sports and classes specifically for older adults as PA programs they would like available at church. This study provides useful information for understanding the attitudes and experiences with exercise among African Americans, and provides a foundation for promoting PA through interventions with this population by incorporating spirituality, culturally specific activities and social support within the church.

0363 Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases among African Americans. It is important to understand whether simple, stage-based PA questions can be used to assess PA and to examine the correlates of PA in this population. PURPOSE: To examine the distribution of PA stages of change and the correlates (PA, demographic, psychological, and environmental) in African American adults. METHODS: Baseline data from the Health-e-AME PA initiative are reported. From around 500 eligible AME churches, 21 were random1y sampled to participate in a telephone evaluation (N = 571, 158 men and 383 women). PA stage of change was assessed with a 4-item measure recommended by the Behavior Change Consortium. RESULTS: The percentage of respondents in precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance were 24%, 7%, 26%, 3%, and 38%, respectively. In all analyses, contemplation + preparation and action + maintenance were combined into single categories. Correlates of being in a more advanced stage of change were male gender, younger age, higher levels of education and income, better reported health, greater exercise enjoyment, greater exercise self-efficacy, greater exercise social support, reporting neighbors as physically active, reporting neighborhood as a good place to live, and reporting neighborhood as safe from crime (ps < .05). Rates of overweight were also lower and the percentage meeting CDC/ACSM PA recommendations were higher in more advanced stages of change (ps < .001). However, a higher percentage of participants staged themselves as being active relative to what the BRFSS PA module data indicated, suggesting that participants overestimate PA on stage of change questions. Reporting hypertension, high cholesterol, and health care provider advice to be active were not associated with stage of change. CONCLUSION: These findings offer a profile of PA stages of change and their correlates in African Americans, but there is some evidence that staging questions may overestimate PA in this population. Results also point to both individual and environmental influences on PA which could be targeted in interventions. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

0282 Faith-based physical activity (PA) programs hold promise for reducing ethnic health disparities in a culturally appropriate manner. Older adults may have the most to gain from these programs, but age tailoring may be necessary. PURPOSE: To examine age differences in PA and weight-related behaviors and correlates. METHODS: The Health-e-AME PA initiative is examining the effects of a PA initiative delivered by trained AME members in churches across SC. From approximately 500 AME churches, 21 were randomly selected to participate in the telephone program evaluation (N = 571 African Americans; 133 were 65+ years). CDC's BRFSS module assessed PA. N = Baseline data are reported. RESULTS: Adults aged 65+ were less likely than other age groups to meet recommendations for moderate to vigorous PA (21% vs. 28–34%), walking (15% vs. 32–40%), and strength training (16% vs. 22–45%) (ps<.01). Among underactive participants, older adults were significantly more likely than other age groups to be in the precontemplation stage of change for increasing PA (p<.01, 45% vs. 14–33%). While rates of overweight did not differ by age (75% were overweight), overweight older adults were less likely than other age groups to report trying to lose weight (39% vs. 63–83%, p<.001) and were more likely to report their weight as “just right” (44% vs. 18–19%, p<.001). In contrast, age was not related to fruit and vegetable consumption or readiness for change. Correlates of meeting CDC/ACSM PA recommendations in those aged 65+ were higher income (p = .06), male gender (p = .01), reporting better health (p = .01), higher PA self-efficacy (p = .001), not having diabetes (p = .09), and reporting that one's neighborhood is a good place to live (p = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Although older African Americans were substantially less active than other age groups, underactive older African Americans reported less intention to increase PA, and overweight older African Americans were less likely to be attempting to lose weight. Interventions that target attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge are likely to be an important first step in increasing readiness for change in this population. These findings underscore the need for both age and cultural tailoring. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

1358 African Americans have lower rates of physical activity (PA) than Caucasians. PA programs that are delivered through churches may offer many benefits to members, but have not been examined extensively. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between availability of PA programs and interpersonal support for PA in African American churches and member PA participation. METHODS: The Health-e-AME PA initiative is examining the effects of a faith-based PA program in AME churches in SC. A random sample of 21 churches was selected from more than 500 eligible churches to participate in a telephone evaluation of the program (N = 571). The CDC BRFSS PA module was used to assess PA. Baseline results are reported. RESULTS: Forty two percent of respondents reported the availability of PA programs at their churches. For churches with PA programs, the most commonly reported programs were walking programs (20%) and aerobics (22%) or a combination of both (20%). Respondents who reported PA in their churches were more likely to meet PA recommendations than those who reported no programs (p = 0.05). The availability of exercise program varied by church size; larger churches were somewhat more likely to offer PA programs (p = 0.07) than small or medium sized churches. There was no association between church size (small, medium, large) and meeting PA recommendations. The examination of interpersonal support for PA within the church revealed that 76% of respondents reported that they had never spoken with the health director at their church about participating in a PA program, and only 25% and 33% had ever spoken with another church member about a PA program or were encouraged to join a PA program, respectively. Of these three interpersonal factors, speaking with other church members about a PA program was significantly associated with members meeting PA recommendations (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Program and interpersonal supports within the AME church may offer a venue for increasing PA among African American members. Our program seeks to increase faith-based supports for increasing PA and reducing health disparities. This research was supported by a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.