542-P: Determinants of Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Chinese Immigrants in the U.S. with Prior Gestational Diabetes

Background: Women with prior gestational diabetes (GD) have times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) as women without prior GD. Chinese immigrants in the US are disproportionately affected by GD and T2D. Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable lifestyle strategy to reduce the risk of T2D. The aim of this study was to identify health beliefs, cultural, and psychosocial determinants of objectively-measured PA among Chinese immigrants in the US with prior GD.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 1Chinese immigrants with prior GD (6 months to 5 years postpartum) across the US, recruited primarily via WeChat. PA was measured by GT9X+ hip accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. Validated questionnaires in English and Chinese were used to assess health beliefs, cultural, and psychosocial characteristics. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with PA levels.

Results: The mean age of participants was 34.3±3.7 years, and mean body mass index was 21.7±2.6 kg/m². Mean daily steps were 5912±2139. Only 28% met the PA guidelines of ≥150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous- physical activity (MVPA) per week. The duration of MVPA per week was 86 [IQR 39- 152] minutes. Participants had an average of 9.2±1.4 hours of sedentary time per day, which was about 64.7±7.8% of the total wear time. In the final adjusted model, participants who had higher acculturative stress [-0.25 (SE=0.14) , p=.006], were not living with parents [-0.21 (SE=0.22) , p=.020], had no knowledge of PA guidelines [-0.18 (SE=0.17) , p=.039], and had an annual household income of < $60K [-0.21 (SE=0.23) , p=.025] were had fewer MVPA minutes per week.

Conclusion and implication: Strategies are needed to increase MVPA among this high-risk group, including decreasing acculturative stress and increasing knowledge of PA guidelines. The findings from this study will inform the development of culturally-sensitive interventions.