Abstract P242: Accuracy of a Self-Report Screening Tool for Identifying Pregnant People With High Sedentary Behavior

Abstract

Introduction: High levels of sedentary behavior (SB) are emerging as a distinct risk factor in pregnancy for poor maternal-fetal health outcomes. Thigh-worn accelerometry is ideal for quantifying SB but has high cost and participant burden; simple screening questions that could quickly identify those with high SB in clinical or research settings are desirable. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of self-report screening questions for identifying pregnant participants with high SB. Methods: This secondary analysis used baseline data from the S edentary Behavior Reduction in Pr egnancy In tervention (SPRING) feasibility trial. During eligibility screening, participants in their first trimester met at least one of four study-developed, self-reported criteria that put them at risk for high SB: 1) mostly sitting job ≥ 30 h/week; 2) mostly sitting job <30 h/week and reporting sitting ≥ ½ of non-work time; 3) did not work but reported sitting ≥ ¾ of time; and 4) <6,000 steps/d from a wearable device. Eligible participants then underwent baseline SB assessment using a thigh-worn accelerometer (activPAL3, 7 d x 24 h). The proportion of participants meeting evidence-based definitions for high SB were calculated for each criterion. Definitions of high SB included: SB > 10 h/d (+10h), SB > 66.7% of waking time (+66.7%), and < 6,000 steps per day (low steps). Results: Participants (n=51) enrolled in the study with mean (SD) age=32 (4) years, 82% White, and 84% with a college degree or greater. Of these, n=50 had valid objective SB data at baseline. On average, participants met high SB definitions with mean (SD) SB of 10.5 (1.5) hours per day, 77% (11%) of waking time in SB, and with 5,646 (2,954) steps per day. Among those with a mostly sitting job ≥ 30 h/week (n=33), 66% were above the +10h definition, 71% met the +66.7% definition, and 57% met the low steps definition. For participants with a mostly sitting but <30 h/week job (n=7) and high sitting otherwise, 57% met the +10h definition, 100% met the +66.7% definition, and 71% met the low steps definition. Participants who did not work and reported ¾ time in SB (n=5) met each definition 80% of the time. Participants who reported <6000 steps per day from a wearable (n=3) met all definitions 66.7% of the time. Those below the +10h SB threshold had mean (range) SB of 8.7 (7.5 to 9.4) h/d, those below the +67% SB threshold were sedentary 57.9% (51.1% to 61.3%) of the time, and those above the low steps threshold had 9,478 (6023 to 14,751) steps per day. Conclusions: Screening questions mostly identified participants who were highly sedentary, though approximately one in three did not meet thresholds for objectively-measured high SB. Future research refining screening questions is needed to improve the accuracy of identifying pregnant people with high SB by self-report, who may be at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.