Overweight and obesity are a growing national concern, particularly among
women and selected minority populations (Ayala, Elder, Campbell, Slymen, Roy,
Engelberg, et al., 2004; NHANES, 2003). Pregnant women bear a disproportionate
risk of becoming overweight or obese (Greene, Smickikias-Wright, Scholl, & Karp,
1988; Gunderson et al., 2000; Rossner, 1999).
Although exercise is a key factor in preventing overweight and obesity, women
often decrease their exercise levels during pregnancy (McTigue, Garrett, & Popkin,
2002; Viau, Padula, & Eddy, 2002; Zhang & Savitz, 1996). Reported percentages of
regular exercise during pregnancy have been documented as low as 5% in a
predominately White population (Steele, 2002). Although there is ample evidence
demonstrating that Hispanic women exercise less than White women during every
other stage of life, little is known about how pregnant Hispanic and White women
compare in exercise behaviors (Crespo, Smit, Andersen, Carter-Pokras, & Ainsworth,
2000).
The purpose of this research was to study low-income White and Hispanic
pregnant women to (1) determine the nature and the extent of exercise behaviors both
before pregnancy and during pregnancy (2) identify factors that influence exercise
behaviors (3) determine if there are differences in factors that influence exercise
between ethnicities.
Data were collected via a questionnaire developed by the author. A sample of
301 White and Hispanic pregnant women were recruited through the Women, Infants,
and Children [WIC] agencies in four selected counties in Oregon. Although ACOG
guidelines provide clear information on the benefits of exercise, over 90% of the
women surveyed did not exercise at ACOG guidelines. A majority of the women,
57.8%, actually decreased exercise during pregnancy. Although ethnic differences did
not exist in the prevalence of exercise during pregnancy, differences between
ethnicities were found in the variety of exercise activities performed and behavioral
factors that predicted exercise behavior. Analysis of these differences and the factors
contributing to the overall low levels of exercise may provide critical information for
future intervention program planning. Well targeted programs will ultimately decrease
the excessive weight gain and subsequent increased risk for overweight or obesity that
pregnant women face. / Graduation date: 2006
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/28599 |
| Date | 04 May 2006 |
| Creators | Nevarez, Holly Clements |
| Contributors | Donatelle, Rebecca J. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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