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A randomized pilot test of “moms on the move”: A physical activity intervention for WIC mothers

  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background: Sedentary mothers are important to reach with physical activity promotion.Purpose: This study pilot tested “Moms on the Move” a Transtheoretical Model (TTM)-derived physical activity (PA) intervention for low-income mothers enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Method: Sedentary mothers (N = 44) were randomized to (a) Moms on the Move (PA intervention) or (b) counseling on self-breast examination (control). Pre- and posttest measurement (baseline and 2 weeks after the 8-weekinterventions) included (a) stage of PA behavior change, (b) PA behavior, (c) selected TTM constructs, and (d) social support. Pre- and posidifference scores, chi-square, and one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used.Results: The experimental group progressed in stage of change more than control, x2(1, N = 44)=20.50, p < .001. The experimental group had greater PA behavior: weekly minutes of PA, F(l, 42) = 46.85, p< .001; daily energy expenditure (EE), F(1, 42) = 23.01,p < .001; and weekly moderate PA EE, F(1, 42) = 32.63, p < .001. Experimental subgroup (n = 11) step counts increased pre-post, t(l 0)=6.16,p7lt;. 001. AnANOVA showed that the experimental group had greater improvements in all TTM constructs and social support, ps < .001.Conclusions: WIC mothers are at risk for sedentary living and have not been targeted for PA behavior change using a provider-counseled approach. Although further testing is needed, Moms on the Move appears to be efficacious.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Nursing, South Dakota State University, Box 2275, 57007, Brookings, SD

    Nancy L. Fahrenwald Ph.D., R.N. (Assistant Professor)

  2. University of Nebraska Medical Center, USA

    Jan R. Atwood Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., F.A.A.N. & Susan Noble Walker Ed.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.

  3. Pennsylvania State University, USA

    David R. Johnson Ph.D.

  4. University of Nebraska, Omaha

    Kris Berg Ed.D.

Authors
  1. Nancy L. Fahrenwald Ph.D., R.N.
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  2. Jan R. Atwood Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., F.A.A.N.
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  3. Susan Noble Walker Ed.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.
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  4. David R. Johnson Ph.D.
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  5. Kris Berg Ed.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nancy L. Fahrenwald Ph.D., R.N..

Additional information

This study was supported by a National Research Service Award, predoctoral fellowship, from the National Institutes of Health, National institute of Nursing Research, No. F31 NR07420-01A1. Nancy L. Fahrenwald acknowledges the support of South Dakota State University for doctoral education.

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Fahrenwald, N.L., Atwood, J.R., Walker, S.N. et al. A randomized pilot test of “moms on the move”: A physical activity intervention for WIC mothers. ann. behav. med. 27, 82–90 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm2702_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm2702_2

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