Linking patients with community resources: use of a free YMCA membership among low-income black women
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
6-1-2017
Abstract
Given the increasing interest in expanding obesity prevention efforts to cover community-based programs, we examined whether individuals would access a YMCA for physical activity promotion. We provided a no-cost 12-month YMCA membership to socioeconomically disadvantaged black women who were randomized to the intervention arm of a weight gain prevention trial (n = 91). Analyses examined associations of membership activation and use with baseline psychosocial, contextual, health-related, and sociodemographic factors. Many participants (70.3 %) activated their memberships; however, use was low (42.2 % had no subsequent visits, 46.9 % had one to ten visits). There were no predictors of membership activation, but individuals living below/borderline the federal poverty line were more likely to use the center (1+ visits), as were those who met physical activity guidelines at baseline. More comprehensive and intensive interventions may be necessary to promote use of community resources—even when provided free—among high-risk populations of women with obesity that live in rural areas of the USA.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Translational Behavioral Medicine
Volume
7
Issue
2
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Greaney, Mary L., Sandy Askew, Perry Foley, Sherrie F. Wallington, and Gary G. Bennett. "Linking patients with community resources: use of a free YMCA membership among low-income black women." Translational Behavioral Medicine 7, 2 (2017): 341-348. doi: 10.1007/s13142-016-0431-7.