The Mediating Role of Physical Activity Self‐Efficacy in Predicting Moderate‐Intensity Physical Activity in Pregnant People at High Risk for Gestational Diabetes

Abstract

IntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common medical complication in pregnancy. Moderate‐intensity physical activity during pregnancy can lower the risk of GDM. However, the relationship between moderate‐intensity physical activity and correlated factors among pregnant people at high risk for GDM remains unknown.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in China. Two hundred fifty‐two participants completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, Pregnancy Physical Activity Self‐Efficacy Scale, Physical Activity Knowledge Questionnaire, Physical Activity Social Support Scale, 7‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and a sociodemographic data sheet. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the direct and indirect associations between the study variables.ResultsA total of 51.6% of the participants did not meet the current physical activity guidelines. Only physical activity self‐efficacy was significantly correlated with moderate‐intensity physical activity. Physical activity self‐efficacy mediated the relationship between moderate‐intensity physical activity and knowledge of physical activity, social support for physical activity, and anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, knowledge of physical activity was also associated with improved moderate‐intensity physical activity mediated by reduced anxiety symptoms and increased physical activity self‐efficacy.ConclusionOur study revealed a high prevalence of not meeting current physical activity guidelines among pregnant people at high risk for GDM. Physical activity self‐efficacy played an important mediating role in predicting moderate‐intensity physical activity. Future studies should focus on enhancing self‐efficacy to improve moderate‐intensity physical activity for pregnant people at high risk for GDM.