Physical activity in pregnant women: Understanding Behaviour change from Transtheoretical Model

Mini-Oral Presentation C3.13

Authors

  • Sara Ramos-Fuster Universidad del Desarrollo
  • Sonia Roa-Alcaino Universidad del Desarrollo
  • Jaime Leppe Universidad del Desarrollo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.787

Keywords:

Pregnancy, Physical Activity, State of Change

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is associated with a decrease in physical activity (PA) despite its benefits. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) allows explaining the changed behaviour in health, and it can help understand health behaviour during pregnancy. Purpose: To evaluate the stages of change to perform PA during pregnancy according to TTM and describe the barriers and facilitators for each stage of change of TTM in pregnant women controlled in primary care. Methods: Healthy pregnant women (n=71) from primary care centres filled in a self-administered TTM questionnaire and an open-ended questionnaire about barriers and facilitators for each stage of change. For data analysis, was used inferential statistics using Chi2 and Wilcoxon tests (α=5%). Results: 79% of pregnant women were in inactive stages (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation) of the TTM and 84% from their reported not receiving PA advice during their pregnancy. There was an association between TTM-stage and marital status, parity, PA advice and pre-pregnancy PA (p<0,05). No association was found between TTM-stages and BMI>25. Participants in inactive stages were older, compared to women in active stages(p<0,05) (action and maintenance stages). The main barriers described were physical and psychological. The main facilitators were environmental. Conclusions: A high proportion of pregnant women were in “Inactive stages”. Being older, having a lower educational level, greater parity, being married/partner is associated with “Inactive stages”. Receiving PA advice during pregnancy is associated with “active stages”. There is a special opportunity to engage pregnant women who are in the Preparation stage to do PA. Funding: No funding.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Ramos-Fuster, S., Roa-Alcaino, S., & Leppe, J. (2021). Physical activity in pregnant women: Understanding Behaviour change from Transtheoretical Model: Mini-Oral Presentation C3.13. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.787