Physical Activity Targeting Metabolic Syndrome for Prevention of Breast Cancer in South Asian Indian Immigrant Women

One out of every eight SAI women in the US is at risk of developing breast cancer and breast cancer manifests 5-10 years earlier in South Asian Indian immigrant (SAI) women (54.5 [SD =13.3]) than in their non-Hispanic White women counterparts (p<.01). The risk of breast cancer is 2.3 times higher in SAI women with metabolic syndrome (hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and central obesity (HR 2.30, 95% CI 1.18-4.49) than their non-Hispanic White women counterparts. To reduce disparities related to metabolic syndrome associated breast cancer in at-risk SAI women, increasing lifestyle physical activity is critical. Approximately 50% of first-generation SAI women in the US, fail to meet recommended physical activity guidelines. Western leisure-time activities lack the cultural connection for many SAI women due to language issue, perceived racial discrimination, and a limited sense of community. To address disparities related to physical activity barriers, the physical activity interventions must be culturally tailored to promote their uptake among at-risk first-generation midlife SAI women. In-person culturally tailored program with Bollywood-style group dance and goal setting with a physical activity monitor have been shown to significantly improve average daily steps, self-efficacy, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, body weight, and waist circumference (p<.05) in first-generation midlife SAI women. However, lack of time due to role expectations at home and lack of transportation presented a challenge for SAI women to attend in-person behavioral group activities. Therefore, the purpose of this virtual 24-week culturally relevant physical activity program with 2x2 factorial design is to improve physical activity and metabolic outcomes for breast cancer prevention in first-generation midlife (aged 40-65) SAI women with insufficient physical activity (self-reported <150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity or <75 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity physical activity in the past month). Women (N=96) will be randomized into one of four conditions 1) Enhanced physical activity monitor which is Fitbit watch with mobile App (PAM), 2) Bollywood-style group dance (Dance), 3) PAMDance, or 4) usual care control. This study aims to: (1) Determine the independent and combined efficacies of PAM and Dance at 12 and 24 weeks on lifestyle physical activity (steps/day [ActiGraph], minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity/week (ActiGraph and self-report) in midlife SAI women; (2) Determine the independent and combined efficacies of PAM and Dance at 12 and 24 weeks on metabolic outcomes (blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, body mass index, and waist circumference). We expect that our findings will demonstrate the efficacy of a virtual culturally tailored lifestyle behavioral physical activity intervention to be broadly applicable for addressing metabolic disparities that confer increased risk for breast cancer in first-generation midlife SAI women.