Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Key for Pregnant Women at High Risk for Gestational Diabetes

A study on pregnant women at high risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) found that 42.5% were not meeting physical activity guidelines. Physical activity self-efficacy, knowledge, and social support were significant predictors of physical activity. Structural equation modeling revealed that physical activity self-efficacy mediated the relationship between physical activity and both knowledge (β = 0.24) and social support (β = 0.30). These findings highlight the importance of enhancing physical activity self-efficacy, knowledge, and social support to promote physical activity in pregnant women at high risk for GDM.