The study contributed to an underdeveloped area of research. Physical activity is recommended as a nonpharmacological means to modify hypertension and obesity, two cardiovascular risk factors. African-American women have low levels of physical activity and high rates of obesity, hypertension, and mortality from coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertensive diseases. In 1992, there was an absence of longitudinal data about the physical activity habits of African-American girls even though a decline in physical activity during adolescence had been reported in other subpopulations.