The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling on Pre-conception Physical Activity in Women with High Body Mass Index: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Obesity is one of the most important health problems for mothers and has been increasing in recent years. It has been showed that cognitive-behavioral counseling is an effective method to increase women’s physical activity. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of cognitive-behavioral counseling on physical activity before pregnancy in women with high BMI.

This randomized control trial was carried out on 60 married women who referred to pre-conception clinic in Gonabad, Iran in 2020. Sampling was done by two-stage cluster random method and subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group underwent six two-hour sessions of cognitive-behavioral counseling as three face-to-face and three virtual sessions. The control group only received the routine care. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21(DASS-21) and Silhouette Figure Rating Scale (SFRS) was used to collect data, which were completed before, immediately, after, and one month following intervention. The data was analyzed using Chi square, Fisher Exact test and T-test.

There was no statisticallysignificant difference in terms of average physical activity score between the intervention and control group before intervention. However, a significant difference was seen between intervention and control group in terms of physical activity immediately after the intervention and one month later (P < 0.001).

Considering that cognitive-behavioral counseling increases physical activity before pregnancy in women with high BMI, it is recommended to provide such  counseling programs for these women in preconception clinics to improve their health before pregnancy.