Motivations for physical activity among South Asian women

Despite having lower-than-average body mass indexes, South Asian women have a higher-than-average risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Suboptimal levels of physical activity seem to be the culprit, according to Nitha Mathew Joseph, PhD, RN, CNE, CGNC, FNAP.

Mathew Joseph, an associate professor in the Department of Undergraduate Studies at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston, recently received a $2,000 grant from the Zeta Pi Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. The award will fund her project “Influence of Interpersonal and Digital Information on Physical Activity Engagement Decisions Among South Asian Women.”

“Among this population, physical activity behaviors are shaped by cultural norms, gender roles, family expectations, and community beliefs as well as collectivism, peer support, and motivation,” Mathew Joseph said. “Additionally, social media and artificial intelligence are increasingly influential in shaping health information.”

Her research team plans to recruit 20-25 South Asian women across the United States through community-based organizations and targeted outreach on social media platforms. Participants will complete a demographic questionnaire and participate in interviews. The data collected will be analyzed to assess how interpersonal and digital information sources influence decisions about engaging in physical activity, with a particular focus on how these sources interact to shape motivation, perceived barriers, and behavior.

The project will build on information Mathew Joseph gathered through an earlier focus group study and will help guide the development of a physical activity intervention for this understudied, high-risk population.