Logo image
Back
Achieving A Healthy 24-hour Day In Rural, Postpartum Individuals; Barriers, Facilitators, And Intervention Preferences: 301
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Achieving A Healthy 24-hour Day In Rural, Postpartum Individuals; Barriers, Facilitators, And Intervention Preferences: 301

Sarah E. Modlin, Katrina Wilhite, Kaitlyn Rabb, Elly Marshall, Lindsay Morris-Neuberger, Katie Corcocan, Kara M. Whitaker, Chooza Moon, Elizabeth A. Claydon and Bethany B. Gibbs
Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Vol.58(10S), 301
10/2026
DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0001259588.15745.69

View Online

Abstract

Rural populations tend to have worse health outcomes than their urban counterparts and faceunique barriers to improving their health. This is especially true during postpartum, a critical lifeperiod for mental and physical health. An intervention targeting physical activity, sedentarybehavior, screen time, and sleep (i.e., 24-hour activity) is a potential strategy to reduce healthdisparities in this population. PURPOSE: Identify barriers and facilitators of healthy 24-hour behavior among rural,postpartum individualsMETHODS: This qualitative study recruited 15 rural, postpartum individuals in the West Virginiaarea. Participants wore two activity monitors, completed a sleep diary, and answeredquestionnaires assessing their 24-hour activity to provide context with respect to postpartum 24-hour activity guidelines. Next, participants completed an interview where they reviewed theirresults, described determinants of their 24-hour activity, and provided insight about anintervention designed to optimize 24-hour activity in rural, postpartum individuals. RESULTS: Most participants only met one or two 24-hour activity guidelines, with sleep (60%)and screen time (53%) being most common. Participants identified themes related to thesebehaviors, including their physical environment, social support, competing responsibilities, andmanaging postpartum expectations and challenges. They were also open to interventions tooptimize their 24-hour activity. Recommendations included having known, trustworthyinterventionists, flexible scheduling, a format with both group and individual sessions, and eitherhybrid remote or/in-person delivery. Additionally, participants stressed the importance ofincorporating strategies to concurrently improve mental health and nutrition into futureinterventions. CONCLUSION: Qualitative interviews indicate that rural, postpartum individuals have specificneeds and preferences that should be used to design relevant 24-hour activity health promotioninterventions for this population.

Details

Metrics

5 Record Views
Logo image