Predictors of physical activity among Chinese pregnant women during the first trimester: A cross-sectional study

Physical activity during pregnancy has numerous health benefits for the woman and the foetus. The current study investigated physical activity engagement and its predictors among pregnant Chinese women during the first trimester. A total of 687 pregnant women completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyse the data. The current physical activity guidelines were not met by 64.3% of respondents. Women with higher levels of physical activity self-efficacy (aOR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.92-0.99) and social support (aOR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.94-0.97) had lower odds of not meeting the current physical activity guidelines. Women who were aged < 35 years (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.02-3.34), had lower education (aOR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.04-2.55), were primiparous (aOR = 11.03; 95% CI: 6.98-17.44), were unsure of their delivery mode (aOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.95-5.64), and those who had higher levels of pregnancy-associated discomfort (aOR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.03-1.19) had higher odds of not meeting the current physical activity guidelines. The current study suggests that healthcare professionals should assess physical activity engagement during routine antenatal care and increase efforts to strengthen pregnant women's self-efficacy and social support to promote physical activity engagement during the first trimester.

Motivational Determinants of Objective Physical Activity in Women with Fibromyalgia Who Attended Rehabilitation Settings

Being physically active has positive effects on fibromyalgia functioning. However, promoting an active lifestyle in these patients continues to be a relevant clinical challenge. Our aim was to test a motivational model to explain light (LPA) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at a tertiary level of care. Participants completed sociodemographic, clinical, motivational (physical activity self-efficacy and goal preferences) and behavioral measures (activity avoidance). LPA and MVPA were measured with triaxial accelerometers, starting the same day of the aforementioned assessment. Out of 211 women, 183 completed this measure. Structural models were performed. Our results show that the best fit indices (CFI = 0.97, SRMR = 0.04) showed a model with direct influence of PA self-efficacy on MVPA (p < 0.01) and indirect influence on LPA (p < 0.001). LPA received the influence of PA self-efficacy mainly through activity avoidance (p < 0.01). Clinical variables did not have any effect on PA intensities. Thus, the motivational variables showed different paths to explain two PA intensities. Targeting PA self-efficacy in rehabilitation settings is needed to enhance both daily LPA and MVPA intensities.

Weight-Related Teasing of Adolescents Who Are Primarily Obese: Roles of Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy

Adolescents who are obese are at risk for being teased about their appearance with the concomitant negative psychological sequelae. Identifying modifiable variables associated with teasing could inform pediatric weight-management interventions. Characterizing society's role in the victimization of these at-risk individuals could guide anti-bullying programs for schools and broader public health efforts. This study aims to examine novel societal and cognitive factors associated with weight-related teasing frequency. Participants were adolescents (N = 334) being evaluated for a hospital-affiliated weight-management program. The outcome was perceived weight-related teasing frequency. Predictors were sociocultural awareness and internalization of appearance-related attitudes, physical activity self-efficacy, and psychological functioning. Multivariate regressions controlled for demographics and body mass index (BMI) z-scores with separate regressions testing interactions of BMI z-scores with all predictors. In adjusted analyses, higher physical activity self-efficacy and fewer depressive symptoms related to lower teasing frequency. Interactions indicated that less awareness/internalization of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, more positive body image, and higher self-esteem related to lower teasing frequency regardless of BMI. Targeted interventions and public health campaigns should be developed and tested for adolescents that improve body image with promotion of diverse views about attractiveness, bolster confidence in overcoming physical activity barriers, and identify and treat mood symptoms.