Nutrition and Exercise Knowledge During Pregnancy: Public Health Implications
Abstract
Background: Public health officials remain challenged by high Maternal Mortality rates in Georgia, reported at 46.2 per 100,000, much higher than U.S. average of 17.4/100,000 (CDC, 2020). Among blacks in Georgia, this rate is 66.6 per 100,000, nearly four times the U.S. death rate. Purpose of this study was to assess adults’ knowledge concerning exercise and proper nutrition practices during pregnancy. Many expecting mothers without adequate knowledge unknowingly put themselves and their unborn child at-risk (Das et al, 2018).
Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional research employed non-probability convenience sampling (n=588) to collect online data in 2022 utilizing previously established instruments. Descriptive and inferential statistics measured Georgia adults’ exercise and nutritional knowledge during pregnancy with total and domain scores calculated.
Results:
Most study participants were female (79.1%) and Caucasian (68.2%). Participants primarily reported some college education (85.5%). Average overall knowledge score for correctly identifying pregnancy care behaviors was 14.5/28 or only 51.8%. In all domains, correct scores were less than 60%. Highest scores reported were exercise in pregnancy with 58.3% correct and lowest was nutritional knowledge with only 42% correct. One-way ANOVAs found significance between all demographic groups (p< 0.05), with females, older than 40 years old, and those with college education being more knowledgeable but scores still low.
Conclusion: This study substantiated the role of public health professionals to empower adults thru education on positive pregnancy behaviors to prevent poor infant and maternal outcomes.
Keywords: Exercise science, nutrition, pregnancy
Keywords
Exercise science, nutrition, pregnancy
Nutrition and Exercise Knowledge During Pregnancy: Public Health Implications
Background: Public health officials remain challenged by high Maternal Mortality rates in Georgia, reported at 46.2 per 100,000, much higher than U.S. average of 17.4/100,000 (CDC, 2020). Among blacks in Georgia, this rate is 66.6 per 100,000, nearly four times the U.S. death rate. Purpose of this study was to assess adults’ knowledge concerning exercise and proper nutrition practices during pregnancy. Many expecting mothers without adequate knowledge unknowingly put themselves and their unborn child at-risk (Das et al, 2018).
Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional research employed non-probability convenience sampling (n=588) to collect online data in 2022 utilizing previously established instruments. Descriptive and inferential statistics measured Georgia adults’ exercise and nutritional knowledge during pregnancy with total and domain scores calculated.
Results:
Most study participants were female (79.1%) and Caucasian (68.2%). Participants primarily reported some college education (85.5%). Average overall knowledge score for correctly identifying pregnancy care behaviors was 14.5/28 or only 51.8%. In all domains, correct scores were less than 60%. Highest scores reported were exercise in pregnancy with 58.3% correct and lowest was nutritional knowledge with only 42% correct. One-way ANOVAs found significance between all demographic groups (p< 0.05), with females, older than 40 years old, and those with college education being more knowledgeable but scores still low.
Conclusion: This study substantiated the role of public health professionals to empower adults thru education on positive pregnancy behaviors to prevent poor infant and maternal outcomes.
Keywords: Exercise science, nutrition, pregnancy
