Supports and barriers of young adult Native Hawaiians to living a healthy lifestyle.

Boyd, J., & Braun, K. (2007). Supports and barriers of young adult Native Hawaiians to living a healthy lifestyle. Preventing Chronic Disease. 2007, 4(4). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2007/oct/07_0012.htm CONTACT boydj@hawaii.edu

Introduction. Physical inactivity and lower levels of education are associated with increased risk for obesity and chronic disease. Compared to other ethnic groups in Hawai‘i, Native Hawaiians have a higher prevalence of chronic disease (including diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease). Only 10% of Native Hawaiians enroll in college, 72.5% are overweight, and only 54.4% meet national recommendations for physical activity.

Method. We conducted four focus groups involving 32 young adult Native Hawaiian junior college students to explore perceived supports and barriers to living a healthy lifestyle.  Questions were based on social marketing concepts and proven physical activity strategies. We adhered to cultural protocol and engaged 10 key informants to help inform the study and extend our findings.

Results. Similarly to young adults in general, young adult Native Hawaiians perceive themselves as invincible and experience demanding lifestyle and laziness as barriers to increasing their levels of physical activity. However, unlike many other groups, these young Native Hawaiians did not define health in terms of individual strength, endurance, and appearance. Rather, they defined it in terms of being purposefully engaged in life’s responsibilities, which include working, going to school, and caring for family. In terms of programming, young Native Hawaiians expressed preferences for group-oriented and college-course-based opportunities to learn more about healthy living and to become more physically active.

Discussion. This paper provides insights into barriers and supports to increasing physical activity levels among Native Hawaiian young adults and confirms the importance of talking to targeted end-users before designing interventions.