Relationship of Past-Pregnancy Physical Activity and Self-efficacy With Current Physical Activity and Postpartum Weight Retention

Abstract

Life events unique to the perinatal period may place a woman at greater risk for decreased physical activity and increased postpartum weight retention (PPWR). Study purposes were to determine a) the relationship between women’s postpartum self-efficacy (SE) to overcome perceived barriers to exercise with current and past pregnancy leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and b) the relationship between LTPA and PPWR. A Modifiable Activity Questionnaire was used to assess current and past pregnancy LTPA (Met*h/wk) at 20 and 32 weeks gestation and 12 weeks postpartum. Current barriers to LTPA and SE were assessed via the Perceived Barriers Efficacy Questionnaire. Top three barrier values were averaged to obtain an overall SE score for participants (N=30). Pearson correlations were run between LTPA, PPWR and SE scores. ANOVA was used to compare PPWR between women who did and did not meet LTPA guidelines of 7.5 MET*h/wk. The top three barriers to LTPA were time, motivation, and childcare. Positive correlations (p≤0.01) were found between SE levels and LTPA at all time periods of interest. LTPA was inversely related to PPWR. Relationships between SE, LTPA, and PPWR helped validate the need to promote perinatal PA, to aid long term weight management.