media

2023

SAATH strongly pitching for exercise
—India Post News (May 10, 2023)

Website link: https://www.indiapost.com/saath-strongly-pitching-for-exercise/

2022

South Asian women see higher rates of diabetes
—WBEZ Chicago Public Radio (Oct 18, 2022)

Website link: https://www.wbez.org/stories/combating-diabetes-in-south-asian-women/005e60da-a58d-41ee-b2e9-f36a44eb912c

Publications

2020

Social influence of adult children on parental health behavior among South Asian immigrants: findings from the MASALA (Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America) study

Findings: Positive role modeling and support from adult children were important facilitators of healthy behavior change in older SA immigrants and can inform health behavior

2016

An Exercise Intervention for South Asian Mothers with Risk Factors for Diabetes

Findings: This pilot study suggests that a culturally-tailored exercise intervention that included exercise classes for children was feasible and had physical and psychosocial benefits in South Asian mothers with risk factors for DM.

2015

Life Stage Influences on U.S. South Asian Women's Physical Activity

Findings: Culturally tailored programs in trusted community settings where women can exercise in women-only classes with their children and targeted education campaigns may increase awareness about the benefits of physical activity across life stages.

Pilot study findings:

Below are main findings from our preliminary community-based participatory research.

South Asian women (85% 1st generation immigrants) experienced:

  • Social isolation and low social support, which reduced physical activity (PA) motivation and self-efficacy

  • Desire to maintain traditional values and norms, which conflicted with local PA environments (e.g., mixed-gender exercise classes)

  • Linguistic and environmental barriers

South Asian girls entering adolescence (majority 2nd generation) experienced:

  • Acculturation-related family conflict because exercise was perceived as an “American behavior”

  • Gender constraints

  • Lack of role models

  • Their community's shared illness belief that “if you are thin, you don't need to exercise.”

The community also identified individual, interpersonal, and familial processes that empowered SA women and girls to be more active, including holistic benefits of PA, aspirations for children's health, and feeling connected and happy when exercising with other women and family.