Enablers and Barriers Related to Preconception Physical Activity: Insights from Women of Reproductive Age Using Mixed Methods
Engaging in regular preconception physical activity (PA) is associated with benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and mental well-being. However, most women do not meet PA recommendations in the preconception period. This study aimed to investigate enablers and barriers related to PA in...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/23/4939 |
| _version_ | 1797399741326163968 |
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| author | Pragya Kandel Siew Lim Michelle Dever Prabhat Lamichhane Helen Skouteris Sinead Currie Briony Hill |
| author_facet | Pragya Kandel Siew Lim Michelle Dever Prabhat Lamichhane Helen Skouteris Sinead Currie Briony Hill |
| author_sort | Pragya Kandel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Engaging in regular preconception physical activity (PA) is associated with benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and mental well-being. However, most women do not meet PA recommendations in the preconception period. This study aimed to investigate enablers and barriers related to PA in preconception women using a sequential mixed method design. An online survey was followed by Zoom interviews with women of reproductive age (aged 18–45 years). A weaving approach and the Capability Opportunity Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model were used to integrate and present the data. Seven hundred and eighty-eight non-pregnant women from Australia, India, and the US completed the quantitative survey, and 13 Australian-based women participated in a qualitative interview. Physical activity levels were associated with having social support, a desire to improve body image, and becoming a healthier person. Women encountered barriers such as misconceptions about PA, competing priorities, financial constraints, and a lack of accessibility. Enablers for participation in PA included knowledge of its importance, a desire to be healthier, weight loss, social support, and having goals. The multifaceted and intricate nature of enablers and barriers for preconception PA lays the groundwork for developing tailored interventions and policies aimed at promoting preconception PA among women. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:45:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e8dc0be55e68479282f7e30e6d3741dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:45:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-e8dc0be55e68479282f7e30e6d3741dd2023-12-08T15:23:24ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432023-11-011523493910.3390/nu15234939Enablers and Barriers Related to Preconception Physical Activity: Insights from Women of Reproductive Age Using Mixed MethodsPragya Kandel0Siew Lim1Michelle Dever2Prabhat Lamichhane3Helen Skouteris4Sinead Currie5Briony Hill6Health and Social Care Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, AustraliaHealth Systems and Equity, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, AustraliaHealth and Social Care Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, AustraliaDepartment of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, AustraliaHealth and Social Care Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, AustraliaDivision of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UKHealth and Social Care Unit, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, AustraliaEngaging in regular preconception physical activity (PA) is associated with benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and mental well-being. However, most women do not meet PA recommendations in the preconception period. This study aimed to investigate enablers and barriers related to PA in preconception women using a sequential mixed method design. An online survey was followed by Zoom interviews with women of reproductive age (aged 18–45 years). A weaving approach and the Capability Opportunity Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model were used to integrate and present the data. Seven hundred and eighty-eight non-pregnant women from Australia, India, and the US completed the quantitative survey, and 13 Australian-based women participated in a qualitative interview. Physical activity levels were associated with having social support, a desire to improve body image, and becoming a healthier person. Women encountered barriers such as misconceptions about PA, competing priorities, financial constraints, and a lack of accessibility. Enablers for participation in PA included knowledge of its importance, a desire to be healthier, weight loss, social support, and having goals. The multifaceted and intricate nature of enablers and barriers for preconception PA lays the groundwork for developing tailored interventions and policies aimed at promoting preconception PA among women.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/23/4939preconceptionPAbehaviour changewomen of reproductive agemixed methodenablers |
| spellingShingle | Pragya Kandel Siew Lim Michelle Dever Prabhat Lamichhane Helen Skouteris Sinead Currie Briony Hill Enablers and Barriers Related to Preconception Physical Activity: Insights from Women of Reproductive Age Using Mixed Methods Nutrients preconception PA behaviour change women of reproductive age mixed method enablers |
| title | Enablers and Barriers Related to Preconception Physical Activity: Insights from Women of Reproductive Age Using Mixed Methods |
| title_full | Enablers and Barriers Related to Preconception Physical Activity: Insights from Women of Reproductive Age Using Mixed Methods |
| title_fullStr | Enablers and Barriers Related to Preconception Physical Activity: Insights from Women of Reproductive Age Using Mixed Methods |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enablers and Barriers Related to Preconception Physical Activity: Insights from Women of Reproductive Age Using Mixed Methods |
| title_short | Enablers and Barriers Related to Preconception Physical Activity: Insights from Women of Reproductive Age Using Mixed Methods |
| title_sort | enablers and barriers related to preconception physical activity insights from women of reproductive age using mixed methods |
| topic | preconception PA behaviour change women of reproductive age mixed method enablers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/23/4939 |
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