title: Physical Activity Changes during Pregnancy in a Comparative Impact Trial.
abstract: Delta Healthy Sprouts was designed to test the comparative impact of 2 home visiting curricula on weight status, dietary intake, physical activity, and other health behaviors of rural, southern African-American women and their infants. Results pertaining to physical activity outcomes in the gestational period are reported.
  
  
  
  Eighty-two women, early in their second trimester of pregnancy, were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of 2 treatment arms. Self-reported physical activity was measured 3 times in the gestational period (gestational months 4, 6 and 8). Generalized linear mixed models were used to test for significant treatment, time, and treatment by time effects on weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
  
  
  
  Significantly less MVPA was performed at gestational month 8 when compared with gestational month 4 (enrollment) for both treatment arms. Statistically significant effects were not found for treatment or treatment by time interaction.
  
  
  
  Neither the Parents as Teachers (control) curriculum nor the Parents as Teachers Enhanced intervention proved effective at increasing or maintaining MVPA in this cohort of pregnant women. Lack of adequate physical activity in pregnancy remains an important public health concern, especially given its known health benefits.
authors: Research Epidemiologists, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS;, Email: jessica.thomson@ars.usda.gov.
authors: Jessica L
authors: JL
authors: Thomson
authors: Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Chicago, IL.
authors: Lisa M
authors: LM
authors: Tussing-Humphreys
authors: Research Epidemiologists, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS.
authors: Melissa H
authors: MH
authors: Goodman
authors: Clinical Research Coordinator, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Chicago, IL.
authors: Sarah E
authors: SE
authors: Olender
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008922:Mississippi; D011247:Pregnancy; D011584:Psychology; D055815:Young Adult