Are black women reluctant to exercise because of the problems they encounter with their hair?

A new report released today by AARP suggests just that.

AARP, the advocacy group for older Americans, held focus groups with African American women age 45 and over and black hair stylists. Black women said they avoid physical activity that makes them perspire because it gets their hair wet, which ruins a hairdo and can present a large disruption to their daily schedules.

But the report also suggests that brisk walking for 10 minutes at a time, for a total of 150 minutes a week, can keep black women active and alleviate some of the hair issues that come with more vigorous workouts.

“African American women can take care of their bodies like they take care of their hair,” said fitness guru and AARP fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner. “You have to have balance … your hair cannot be an excuse to keep you from working out.”

Study participants reported it takes one to two hours to do their hair themselves at home each time they wash it. Additionally, participants reported scheduling their exercise around hair appointments, which usually occur every two weeks. They said the cost of a salon visit makes going more often than every two weeks cost-prohibitive.

“Increasing physical activity is incredibly important to reducing risk of chronic disease,” said AARP Senior Researcher Helen Brown. “Thirty minutes of activity a day, broken down into three 10-minute increments, is a key first step to helping African American women live healthier lifestyles.”

According to the Journal of the National Medical Association, 77 percent of Black women are overweight and 49 percent are obese. Additionally, African Americans suffer higher rates of chronic illness related to obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, than the U.S. population overall.

AARP offers the following suggestions:

Use a “cool cloth.” Cool cloths placed around the head also can help black women keep their body temperature down while engaging in physical activity.

Use a pedometer. Pedometers are inexpensive tools that can be attached to a hip pocket or a shoe to motivate people to move more throughout the day. Reaching small goals of 1,000 to 2,000 steps per day can eventually build to 10,000 steps per day.

Starting a walking program. A walking program can be undertaken with friends, family, neighbors or co-workers. Walking around the neighborhood or during lunch breaks with co-workers is a great way to get started.

For tips on how to start a walking group, visit www.aarp.org/blackcommunity.

The full report is available at www.aarp.org/blackcommunity.

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