Department of Public Health, College of Health and Human Development, California State University, 800 N. State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA, 92831, USA.
College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, 160 SW 26th St, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021 Jan 21;21(1):69. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-03553-7.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women engage in at least 20 to 30 min of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week. Regular exercise during pregnancy is associated with many benefits for the mother and the developing fetus; yet, a large number of pregnant women do not engage in the recommended amounts. This study aimed to investigate barriers to and interventions for physical activity among pregnant WIC participants in Southern California.
We conducted four focus groups (FGs) with pregnant low-income women aged 18 years or older in either their second or third trimester. FGs were conducted at a WIC center in Southern California. The FGs were held according to language (English vs. Spanish-speaking) and BMI category (normal weight vs. overweight and obese). A total of 28 women participated. We used ATLAS. ti. to analyze the focus group transcripts. The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.
The mean age of focus group participants was 28.9 years (SD = 6.6), and the majority were Latina. Intrapersonal barriers to physical activity were fatigue and lack of energy, pain and swelling, lack of childcare, medical restrictions and safety concerns, lack of knowledge about exercise safety, and lack of time. Interpersonal barriers included concerns and lack of support from partners and families, conflicting advice from friends and neighbors, and lack of advice on safe exercise from physicians. Women in all four groups suggested a community-based intervention where they can mingle with each other and share their challenges and concerns. Other suggestions to interventions differed among groups and reflected the women's experiences and backgrounds. Specifically, to promote education, English-speaking women preferred a brochure while Spanish-speaking women preferred a video. Overweight women emphasized including children in their exercise activities to promote healthy behavior in youth.
Interventions should be tailored to pregnant women's needs. Primary care providers should provide reassurance and information to pregnant women and their partners on the type and frequency of safe exercise.
美国妇产科医师学会（ACOG）建议孕妇每周大多数天都要进行至少 20 到 30 分钟的中等强度的身体活动。怀孕期间定期运动对母亲和发育中的胎儿都有许多好处；然而，大量孕妇没有达到推荐的运动量。本研究旨在调查南加州 WIC 参与者怀孕期间身体活动的障碍和干预措施。
我们在南加州的一个 WIC 中心进行了四项焦点小组（FG），参与者为年龄在 18 岁或以上的怀孕低收入妇女，处于第二或第三孕期。FG 按照语言（英语或西班牙语）和 BMI 类别（正常体重或超重和肥胖）进行分组。共有 28 名妇女参加了研究。我们使用 ATLAS.ti. 分析焦点小组的记录。该研究符合定性研究报告的统一标准。
焦点小组参与者的平均年龄为 28.9 岁（标准差=6.6），大多数是拉丁裔。身体活动的内在障碍包括疲劳和缺乏能量、疼痛和肿胀、缺乏儿童保育、医疗限制和安全问题、缺乏关于运动安全的知识以及缺乏时间。人际障碍包括伴侣和家人的关心和支持不足、朋友和邻居的意见相左、以及医生缺乏关于安全运动的建议。所有四个小组的女性都建议进行一项基于社区的干预措施，让她们可以相互交流并分享自己的挑战和担忧。不同小组的其他干预建议也有所不同，反映了女性的经历和背景。具体来说，为了促进教育，讲英语的女性更喜欢小册子，而讲西班牙语的女性则更喜欢视频。超重的女性强调让孩子参与她们的锻炼活动，以促进年轻人的健康行为。
干预措施应根据孕妇的需求进行定制。初级保健提供者应向孕妇及其伴侣提供关于安全运动的类型和频率的保证和信息。
