Participation in a Weekly Physical Activity-Related Book Club Improves Health Outcomes over 12 Weeks in Rural Women

Despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity (PA) participation, over half of women do not meet PA guidelines, with greater disparities seen among rural populations. Interventions that include behavioral and cognitive strategies for promoting behavior change are important to improve health outcomes among women. This study aimed to determine whether a book club (i.e., Fit Minded) could improve PA participation, clinical markers of health, and psychosocial measures related to PA and self-perception in adult rural women. Women participated in a 12-wk book club that incorporated reading and discussions related to physical activity and self-worth. PA participation using Fitbits; clinical outcomes (e.g., weight and blood pressure); psychosocial measures related to PA and self-perception, including perceived exercise benefits and barriers, outcome expectations to exercise, PA goal setting, planning, and scheduling; physical self-worth; and global self-worth, were measured at pre- and postintervention (12 wk) in adult rural women. Thirty-two women (age, 48.09 +/- 8.96 yr) completed at least 10/12 sessions and all pre- and postintervention measures. Steps per day did not increase from baseline to week 12; however, participants had significant reductions in weight (P = 0.022), body mass index (P = 0.022), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.047). Participants had significant improvements in several psychosocial measures related to PA participation and self-worth (perceived exercise benefits and barriers, PA goal setting, PA planning and scheduling, all subscales of physical self-worth, and global self-worth; P values < 0.001-0.032), but not outcome expectations related to exercise. Results demonstrate that Fit Minded, with no face-to-face PA component, can improve psychosocial factors related to PA participation and physical self-worth, along with modest improvements in clinical markers of health in rural women. Although objectively assessed PA did not increase, there is evidence of improved health behaviors, which may translate to greater effects over time.