Effects of a worksite physical activity intervention for hospital nurses who are working mothers

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAAOHN journal Vol. 59; no. 9; pp. 377 - 386
Main Authors Tucker, Sharon J, Lanningham-Foster, Lorraine M, Murphy, Justyne N, Thompson, Warren G, Weymiller, Audrey J, Lohse, Christine, Levine, James A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.2011
Subjects
Adiposity
Adult
Body Mass Index
Exercise
Feasibility Studies
Female
Health Promotion
Humans
Linear Models
Middle Aged
Mothers
Nursing Staff, Hospital
Pilot Projects
United States
United States
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0891-0162
DOI:10.1177/216507991105900902