Physical Activity Patterns in Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Pregnant Women

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to assess the volume of physical activity (PA) throughout pregnancy in normal-weight vs overweight/obese women, and to investigate which factors may predict compliance to PA recommendations in these women throughout gestation. In 236 pregnant women, 177 normal-weight and 59 overweight/obese (median[IQR] BMI 21.2[19.9–22.8] vs 26.5[25.5–29.0] kg/m2, respectively), medical history, anthropometry and clinical data, including glucose tolerance, were recorded. In addition, pre-pregnancy PA was estimated by the Kaiser questionnaire, while total, walking and fitness/sport PA during pregnancy were assessed by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) modified questionnaire, at 14–16, 24–28 and 30–32 weeks of gestation. PA volume was very low in the first trimester of pregnancy in both groups of women. However, it increased in the second and third trimester in normal-weight, but not in overweight/obese subjects. Higher pre-pregnancy PA was a statistically significant predictor of being physically active (>150 minutes of PA per week) during all trimesters of gestation. In conclusion, physical activity volume is low in pregnant women, especially in overweight/obese subjects. PA volume increases during pregnancy only in normal-weight women. Pre-pregnancy PA is an independent predictor of achieving a PA volume of at least 150 min per week during pregnancy.

Factors Associated with the Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA) during the First Trimester of the Pregnancy: The Cross-Sectional Study among Pregnant Women in Serbia

“…Parity and pre-pregnancy BMI were also identified as factors associated with the lifestyle of pregnant women [58,59]. Women with children are expected to have less time for LTPA, while women with higher BMI are thought to more often have a sedentary lifestyle, and are expected to continue with a sedentary lifestyle in pregnancy as well [52]. Our study did not find these associations since both pre-pregnancy BMI and parity were not associated with insufficient LTPA during pregnancy.…”

“…One of the most commonly identified factors associated with LTPA level during pregnancy, in all trimesters, including the first [52], was LTPA level before pregnancy. That being said, a prospective study conducted among 1175 healthy pregnant women in Spain showed that almost one-half of pregnant women who were sufficiently active before pregnancy did not stay active during pregnancy [53].…”

Effects of physical exercise during pregnancy on maternal and infant outcomes in overweight and obese pregnant women: A meta‐analysis

“…14 Studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of exercise on pregnant women with minimal risks. [16][17][18] Recent intervention studies have also reported inconsistent conclusions concerning the benefits of physical activity on maternal and infant outcomes among overweight and obese pregnant women. 16 However, the impact of exercise on overweight and obese pregnant women is controversial.…”

“…Overweight and obese pregnant women, as a special population, have lower frequency of physical activity compared with normal-weight pregnant women and tend to develop adverse outcomes. [16][17][18] Recent intervention studies have also reported inconsistent conclusions concerning the benefits of physical activity on maternal and infant outcomes among overweight and obese pregnant women. [19][20][21][22] Additional studies are needed to assess the effect and reliability of physical exercise on overweight and obese pregnant women.…”

Physical Activity Counseling Received Throughout Pregnancy: Effect on Behaviors: A Quasi-experimental Study.

“…A signi cant difference in sedentary physical activity was observed in the pre-pregnancy overweight women. Based on the assumption that women who were overweight before pregnancy would be less likely to comply with the recommendations [25,26], the explanation for the non-signi cant difference for the other types and intensities remains plausible.…”