Physical Activity in Diverse Populations: Evidence and Practice

Now in a fully revised and updated new edition, this book examines how social determinants, such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, can impact physical activity and its associated health outcomes.

The book explores the social, cultural, political, and environmental factors that influence engagement in physical activity in a range of diverse populations and presents evidence-based, culturally appropriate strategies for targeting and promoting physical activity participation. Each chapter considers how the social determinants that impact health are formed by the environments in which people live, work, learn, and play. Incorporating a series of original case studies, this book analyzes physical activity behaviors in groups including African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawai’ians, military veterans, physically disabled populations, low-income populations, and rural populations. Also looking at physical activity in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations, this new edition now has a separate chapter on transgender people, reflecting the particular challenges and circumstances facing that group today. The book also includes a chapter looking at physical activity from international perspectives.

With every chapter including useful features such as definitions of key terms, summary points, and critical thinking questions, Physical Activity in Diverse Populations: Evidence and Practice is essential reading for any course on physical activity, exercise, and health.

This new edition is accompanied by ancillary materials for instructors, including slides and a test bank, available at www.routledge.com/9781032754680.

Melissa Bopp is a professor of kinesiology at Pennsylvania State University, USA. Her research expertise includes how community, environment, and policy influence and promote physical activity participation in diverse, underserved, and under-resourced populations. She has published extensively in this area and conducted countless studies to examine physical activity disparities. Dr Bopp has been teaching undergraduate and graduate students about health disparities and diverse populations for more than 20 years.