Recreational activities of moms : Comparative Study of Recreational Activities of Mothers in Hungary and Jordan

Abstract

Introducton: mothers around the world are at increased risk for health-related problems because of the level of inactvity before, during, and afer pregnancy. Recreatonal habits in diferent countries may difer. The experience gained from comparing these habits can provide useful informaton for each country. Aims: to examine among Hungarian and Jordanian mothers who have at least one child, what leisure ctvites are usually practced and to compare their general health and recreatonal actvites based on their self-report. Online questonnaires were conducted in both countries. Results: Jogging/running and aerobics were the most common before pregnancy. During pregnancy, walking, watching TV, reading, and various actvites at home were the most common actvites among women, but most of them were not physically actve. Hungarian women were more actve than Jordanians in all three observed stages. Nevertheless, they rated themselves less actve than Jordanians. Conclusion: in both countries, more atenton must be paid to pregnant women’s recreatonal actvites. For example, more special sessions must be organized and available for everyone.