Physical activity before and during pregnancy: A cohort study

Abstract

Objective To estimate physical activity (PA) in healthy women before and during pregnancy and to evaluate the features associated with moderate PA (MPA). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted on women selected 14 weeks of pregnancy during 2013–2015 in primary public health service centers in southern Spain. Type, duration, and frequency of PA (IPAQ questionnaire in first, second, and third trimesters [T1, T2, T3]) were measured. Variables associated with MPA were evaluated using multiple logistic regressions controlling for age, pre‐pregnancy obesity, level of education, number of living children, pre‐pregnancy PA, and adherence to Mediterranean diet (AMD). Results Out of 463 women, MPA was estimated in 64% pre‐pregnancy, and 54%, 61%, and 59% in T1, T2, and T3, respectively. MPA was associated with greater AMD in T2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.33) and T3 (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02–1.31), previous PA (aOR 13.5, 95% CI 8.12–22.5 in T1; aOR 2.61, 95% CI 1.72–3.96 in T2; aOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.65–4.05 in T3), and pre‐pregnancy obesity (aOR 2.97, 95% CI 1.28–6.89 in T1; aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.23–3.60 in T3). Conclusion PA decreased at the beginning of pregnancy, but compliance remained over 50%. MPA was associated with diet, pre‐pregnancy PA, and obesity.

Influence of the degree of adherence to the mediterranean diet and its components on cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy. The GESTAFIT project

“…This is in line with previous evidence that suggested that physical activity levels decrease along gestation [27]. In particular, it has been shown [24] that between the second and the third trimester of pregnancy, there was a decrease in physical activity (assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire), which is highly in agreement with our findings. In this regard, the high prevalence of overweight and obesity prior to pregnancy and the decreasing time spent in total physical activity might imply a higher cardiometabolic risk in this population [1,28,29].…”

“…Regarding pre-pregnancy body composition of the study sample (pre-pregnancy BMI (23.2 kg/m 2 )), it was similar to that observed by Martin et al [1] in which pregnant women with the highest adherence (Tertile 3) to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score-based method had a prepregnancy BMI of 22.8 kg/m 2 [1]. In addition, a recent study [24] conducted in Spain reported that 37% of pregnant women were overweight/obese prior to pregnancy, similar to our results (35%). Comparing the early second trimester (16th g.w.)…”

Clinical Practice Guidelines That Address Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

“…Both the WHO and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended 150 minutes moderate physical activity per week for all healthy pregnant women 9,10 . However, research has found that physical activity in women decreases from prepregnancy to pregnancy 11,12 . In fact, the majority of pregnant women do not meet the recommended amount of duration for daily physical activity 13–15 .…”

Level of Physical Activity in Pregnant Populations from Different Geographic Regions: A Systematic Review

“… Sociodemographic, psychosocial, anthropometric and pregnancy variables [ 55 ] Rêgo 2017 Brazil Cohort study 1447 Nulliparous pregnant women 25–26 wk IPAQ MET min/wk No association was found between the level of PA in the 2T and 3T with adverse perinatal outcomes. Sociodemographic, pregnancy and delivery variables [ 56 ] Román-Gálvez 2021 Spain Prospective cohort study 463 Healthy pregnant women 1T: <14 wk 2T: 24 wk 3T: >32 wk IPAQ MET min/wk Two-thirds of women achieve enough PA. Energy expenditure decreases throughout pregnancy. Sociodemographic, behavioral anthropometric and pregnancy variables.…”