The study was published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
The study findings show the need to include this topic in medical education curriculums to potentially have a lasting impact on the long-term health of black women.
About 56% of black women aged 20 and older are obese, putting them at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Regular exercise can help reduce these health risks.
“It’s going to come down to increasing education about African-American hair, African-American females’ cultural practices when it comes to hair, and how you can counsel a patient in an office visit about decreasing that barrier,” Tolliver said in a university news release.
She offered the following advice for black women who want to be physically active:
-If you’re new to exercise, consider starting with low-impact exercise, such as walking, to minimize perspiration.
-Try a protective hairstyle, such as braids, twists, buns or extensions.
-Schedule more strenuous workouts on a day you plan to wash your hair.