Use of multiple physical activity behavior change skills and strategies in mothers with young children attending playgroups

Background: With almost half (44%) of Australian women of childbearing age being overweight or obese there is a need to increase the physical activity of mothers with young children through health promotion and public health campaigns. Methods: A six month randomised control trial (REFRESH: Reminder on Exercise, Food, Relaxation and Social Support for Health) was conducted with 700 mothers attending playgroups in Perth, Australia. The data was collected via self-report questionnaires. Results: The results demonstrate that programs that incorporate a variety of physical activity behavior change skills are more acceptable to promote physical activity to a diverse group of mothers with young children. The intervention arm of REFRESH program included increasing skills in long and short-term goal setting, motivational interviewing assessment including identifying the stages of change, identifying the barriers and enablers to physical activity, self-efficacy and social support assessment, identifying ones beliefs and values about physical activity, and reinforcement through self-reward. Mothers reported that face-to-face workshops and take home resources such as the pedometer, physical activity guidelines fridge magnet and muscle strength exercise card fridge magnet were the most useful strategies in the REFRESH program. Conclusions: Mothers in the intervention group increased their physical activity in comparison to the control group. The REFRESH program had a positive impact on the health habits of other members of the participant's families.