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Low-Income African American Women’s Beliefs Regarding Exercise during Pregnancy

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Abstract

Exercise may decrease the incidence of obesity and obesity related complications during pregnancy including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. African American women are at higher risk for obesity and physical inactivity during pregnancy when compared to other patient groups. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe in detail the unique beliefs and perspectives regarding exercise during pregnancy of African American women. A series of 6 focus groups discussions with pregnant African American women were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Focus group transcripts were qualitatively analyzed for major themes and independently coded for beliefs regarding exercise during pregnancy. A total of 34 pregnant, African American women participated in 6 focus group discussions. The majority of women were single (94%), had only a high school education (67%), received Medicaid (100%) and had a mean BMI of 33 kg/m2. Three major themes emerged regarding our subjects’ beliefs about exercise during pregnancy: (1) women had a broad definition of what types of activities constituted exercise, (2) women believed exercise was generally beneficial during pregnancy and (3) women believed certain types of activities or movements could cause problems with pregnancy. African American women overwhelmingly believe that exercise positively impacts pregnancy. A lack of knowledge concerning the benefits of exercise during pregnancy was not found to be a major contributor to inactivity in African American women. However, health care providers should be aware of cultural myths that prevent many African American women from performing certain activities during pregnancy.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by The Amy Roberts Health Promotion Research Fund through the Magee Women’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh. The efforts of Dr. Chang were supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ 1 K08 HS13913-01A1; PI-Chang). The efforts of Dr. Krans were supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program. The authors thank Michelle Ondeck, RN for assistance with note taking during focus groups and Jill Enyeart, RN for her assistance with participant recruitment. The authors would also like to thank James M. Roberts, MD for his support and mentorship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, 6312 Medical Science Bldg. 1, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5604, USA

    Elizabeth E. Krans

  2. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Judy C. Chang

Authors
  1. Elizabeth E. Krans
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  2. Judy C. Chang
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Correspondence to Elizabeth E. Krans.

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Krans, E.E., Chang, J.C. Low-Income African American Women’s Beliefs Regarding Exercise during Pregnancy. Matern Child Health J 16, 1180–1187 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0883-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0883-9

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