Increasing physical activity in women with prev. gestational diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing and testing an intervention to increase physical activity in women with previous gestational diabetes
IRAS ID
235877
Contact name
Ruth Jepson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Women who have a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at seven times the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. Physical activity is known to reduce that risk, but studies have found that the majority of women with previous GDM are not active at levels recommended by guidelines. Previous studies have tried to increase physical activity in this group, but have several limitations, including using a top-down, prescriptive approach to physical activity and not being sustainable beyond the study. This project aims to bridge the gap between physical activity guidelines and the reality of being a woman with gestational diabetes, in a way that is sustainable, feasible, and acceptable to the women involved.
This PhD uses theory and mixed-methodology to develop and test a physical activity intervention for women with previous GDM. The first of three stages involves conducting focus groups with key stakeholders, including women with current and previous GDM, healthcare professionals, and physical activity experts, to fully understand the problem of low physical activity in this group. Stage 2 will develop the physical activity intervention: ideas will be generated from Stage 1 and workshops will be held to further understand what women believe will work for them. In Stage 3, the intervention will be tested on a small scale by both quantitative and qualitative measures. By the end of the PhD, the goal is to have a physical activity intervention that is acceptable, feasible and sustainable to women with previous gestational diabetes.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
18/SS/0051
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion