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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN WOMEN WITH PREGNANCY HYPERGLYCEMIA PARTICIPATING IN A PILOT TRIAL

Abstract

Gulsah Onar1, Jill Maples2, Bethany Rand1, Sara Burnette1, Nikki Zite2, Kimberly Fortner2, Samantha Ehrlich1. 1The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN. 2The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe self-reported physical activity (PA) levels, as well as stage of change, self-efficacy, social support for, and barriers to PA, among women with pregnancy hyperglycemia participating in a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) of a behavioral intervention to improve PA. METHODS:Participants (N=20) were women with pregnancy hyperglycemia, between 18-40 years of age, enrolled in the Project Wellness pilot RCT at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville. At the baseline study visit (i.e., between 27-31 weeks gestation), participants responded to survey questions pertaining to self-reported PA, as well as their stage of change, self-efficacy, social support for, and barriers to PA during pregnancy. Descriptive statistics are presented. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.8 years (SD 4.2) and 85% were White. At baseline, 30% reported having met PA recommendations in the last month; 67% of those meeting PA recommendations reported only moderate intensity PA. Most participants (65%) reported that they ‘currently exercised’, and all reported that they intended to exercise in the next 6 months. Overall, 85% of participants: valued the benefits of PA, felt it was important, and felt guilty when they were not physically active. Forty-five percent reported ‘extremely enjoying’ their PA sessions; 65% were quite sure that they could get regular exercise, but this number decreased to 45% when family, work, or social life takes a lot of their time. When feeling anxious, only 25% really felt confident that they could be physically active. When there were competing interests, 75% did not really engage in PA. Sixty-five percent were confident about being physically active during their free time without family or friend support. When their schedules were busy, this decreased to only 25% reporting confidence in being physically active. Sixty percent reported that their families would almost never take care of their children so they could be physically active, and 75% reported that their families would almost never take care of household tasks so that they could be physically active. CONCLUSIONS: Few participants were sufficiently active, but acceptance of and intentions for PA were high. Busy schedules, particularly childcare and household related responsibilities, stood out as barriers to PA.

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