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- Title
Results of a Culturally Relevant, Physical Activity-Based Wellness Program for Urban Indigenous Women in Alberta, Canada.
- Authors
Wicklum, Sonja; Sampson, Megan; Henderson, Rita; Wiart, Shelley; Perez, Grace; McGuire, Ashlee; Cameron, Erin; Willis, Elsy; Crowshoe, Lynden (Lindsay); McBrien, Kerry
- Abstract
Colonization, racism, and resulting policies have fractured familial and intergenerational relationships. For many Indigenous women in Canada, these forces continue to create socioeconomic inequality that play out in nutritional insecurity and lack of access to physical activity resources, in turn undermining overall wellness. Women Warriors (WW), an eight-week physical activity-based wellness program, was designed to support Indigenous women's efforts to increase physical activity levels, improve nutrition, and develop support systems for improved health. Notably, it offered access to exercise instruction and facilities that may have otherwise been inaccessible to participants. To evaluate the impact of the program, we completed a mixed method pre/post evaluation of four program sessions, from January to December 2016. The WW program resulted in increased weekly pedometer step counts, increased nutrition skill acquisition, and improved confidence in exercising as a group and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. The program also produced improvements in anthropometric measures and a reduction in blood pressure values. Participants developed positive social support systems and were introduced to health and social resources in their community. They reported appreciating that the program motivated them by way of accountability to others and offered opportunity to share experiences in sharing circles. The program identified barriers to health change, including lack of resources that support physical activity, healthy eating, and personal stress management. Participants recommended increasing the program's duration and intensity, enhancing the nutrition and health education offered, and increasing opportunities for socialization and relationship building. The WW program was well received and shows promise as a practical, community-based method to support Indigenous women interested in increasing positive health behaviours.
- Subjects
ALBERTA; CANADA; INDIGENOUS women; HEALTH promotion; HEALTH behavior; SOCIAL networks; PHYSICAL activity
- Publication
International Journal of Indigenous Health, 2019, Vol 14, Issue 2, p169
- ISSN
2291-9368
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.32799/ijih.v14i2.31890