title: Effects of a worksite physical activity intervention for hospital nurses who are working mothers.
abstract: Hospital nurses who are working mothers are challenged to maintain their personal health and model healthy behaviors for their children. This study aimed to develop and test an innovative 10-week worksite physical activity intervention integrated into the work flow of hospital-based nurses who were mothers. Three volunteer adult medical-surgical nursing units participated as intervention units. Fifty-eight nurses (30 intervention and 28 control) provided baseline and post-intervention repeated measurements of physical activity (steps) and body composition. Intervention participants provided post-intervention focus group feedback. For both groups, daily steps averaged more than 12,400 at baseline and post-intervention. No significant effects were found for physical activity; significant effects were found for fat mass, fat index, and percent fat (p < .03). Focus group findings supported the intervention and other data collected. The worksite holds promise for targeting the health of working mothers. Future research is warranted with a larger sample, longer intervention, and additional measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA. sharon-tucker@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Sharon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Lorraine M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lanningham-Foster
authors.forename: Justyne N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Warren G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Audrey J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Weymiller
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lohse
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014481:United States