Efficacy beliefs among low-income women reflected
low self-efficacy. For instance, women mentioned being
unable to exercise because they were tired, busy with kids,
or physically uncomfortable. In general, women believed
you could not control weight gain during pregnancy for
reasons like not being able to resist cravings. When the
moderator would prompt, ‘‘Can you think of some ways a
woman can control the amount of weight she gains,’’ in one
focus group the women laughed and all said, ‘‘No.’’
Another woman mentioned, ‘‘go to sleep.’’ Women also
explained why they could not do more physical activity
because they ‘‘get tired and have no help at home’’ or ‘‘get
fat and can’t move.’’