Factors Associated With Household And Job Physical Activity In Low-income Pregnant Women

Abstract

Low-income pregnant women are less likely to meet physical activity (PA) recommendations compared to higher income counterparts. Some studies suggest that the difference in activity levels is diminished when household (HPA) and job physical activities (JPA) are considered but little is known about factors that may influence HPA and JPA levels. PURPOSE: To examine personal, social, and environmental factors impacting HPA and JPA during pregnancy in low-income women based on the Ecological Model. METHODS: Low-income pregnant and postpartum women were recruited nationwide using an online platform. Participants (n=109) recalled pregnancy HPA and JPA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and answered a survey on personal (demographics, self-efficacy, lifestyle beliefs), social (social support, social perceptions, social roles strain) and environmental factors (safety, community involvement). Descriptive statistics were assessed for all variables. Median split was used to categorize HPA and JPA. Correlation matrices were created for personal, social, and environmental factors. Based on established criteria, significant variables were selected to be included in confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A CFA model for each personal, social, and environmental latent factor and two structural equation models were created for predicting HPA and JPA. RESULTS: Participants’ mean age was 29.5 years (±5.6) and 51.9% of women were on Medicaid. Median, range HPA was 28, 0-354 MET-hrs/wk and JPA was 0.2, 0-367 MET-hrs/wk. Latent personal, social, and environmental factors were not significantly related to HPA or JPA. However, significant interactions occurred between personal and environmental factors (-0.218, p<0.05) and social and environmental factors (-0.207, p<0.05) in the HPA model as well as personal and environmental factors (-0.221, p<0.05) in the JPA model. CONCLUSIONS: Reported HPA and JPA levels were low, varied widely, and could indicate a lack of understanding of PA questions. Latent factors were not related to HPA or JPA, but the interactions among latent factors indicate that this analysis might not capture the complexity of PA behaviors. Other correlates not included in this study, such as job type, may have greater influence on HPA and JPA among low-income pregnant women.