Strong Healthy Women

Health behavior intervention that aims to improve women’s preconception and interconception health. Developed for low-income rural communities in Central Pennsylvania. Enrolls non-pregnant women capable of becoming pregnant in the future. Provides education about health-related factors associated with poor pregnancy outcomes; facilitates increased physical activity and improved nutrition; and encourages self-efficacy for personal healthcare. Enrollees attend six 2 hour group sessions over 12 weeks. Intervention was found to have improved attitudes and behaviors related to nutrition, folic acid supplementation, physical activity, and stress management, increased internal control of birth outcomes, lowered weight and BMI, and lowered pregnancy weight gain.

Intervention in the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study, 2005-2008

Evidence Rating: II

Cost: N/A

Additional Info:

Topics:

Healthy Weight Nutrition

Perinatal Periods:

Pre-/Inter-conception

Resource types:

Demonstration project

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