Obesity and Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Evidence, Guidelines, and Recommendations

Author(s):  
Danielle Symons Downs ◽  
Kelly R. Evenson ◽  
Lisa Chasan-Taber
2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110304
Author(s):  
Mallory R. Marshall ◽  
Alexander H. K. Montoye ◽  
Michelle R. Conway ◽  
Rebecca A. Schlaff ◽  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
...  

As pregnancy progresses, physical changes may affect physical activity (PA) measurement validity. n = 11 pregnant women (30.1 ± 3.8 years) wore ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers on the right hip, right ankle, and non-dominant wrist for 3–7 days during the second and third trimesters (21 and 32 weeks, respectively) and 12 weeks postpartum. Data were downloaded into 60-second epochs from which stepping cadence was calculated; repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences among placements. At all time points, the wrist accelerometer measured significantly more daily steps (9930–10 452 steps/d) and faster average stepping cadence (14.5–14.6 steps/min) than either the hip (4972–5944 steps/d, 7.1–8.6 steps/min) or ankle (7161–8205 steps/d, 10.3–11.9 steps/min) placement, while moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity at the wrist (1.2–1.7 min/d) was significantly less than either hip (3.0–5.9 min/d) or ankle (6.1–7.3 min/d). Steps, cadence, and counts were significantly lower for the hip than the ankle at all time points. Kappa calculated for agreement in intensity classification between the various pairwise comparisons ranged from .06 to .41, with Kappa for hip–ankle agreement (.34–.41) significantly higher than for wrist–ankle (.09–.11) or wrist–hip (.06–.16). These data indicate that wrist accelerometer placement during pregnancy likely results in over counting of PA parameters and should be used with caution.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Sjögren Forss ◽  
L Stjernberg

Abstract Background As there is incontrovertible evidence of the essential prerequisite of regular physical activity it is also important to understand how different life change events may impact individual's participation in physical activity. Pregnancy and the transition to parenthood have been found to be life change events associated with decreased physical activity among women however, the examination of changes of physical activity in the male parent during this major life change event has been largely neglected in scientific literature and a significant research gap can be found. In the light of this, this longitudinal study aimed to follow changing physical activity patterns among women and med during pregnancy and eight months postpartum compared to pre-pregnancy. Methods The study involved 123 women and 112 men (partners of the women) from the municipality of Karlskrona, Sweden. We measured the self-reported amount of physical activity performed outdoors and indoors before pregnancy (calculated from one month before pregnancy), throughout the entire pregnancy, and eight months postpartum. Results We found similar trends among both women and men in decreasing frequency of physical activity during pregnancy and eight months postpartum as compared to pre-pregnancy, however, overall physical activity levels did not change. Conclusions Our findings contribute new knowledge about changes in men's physical activity patterns from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy and postpartum and is an important contribution in research, as the area is very limited. As couples seem to change activity patterns similarly, it is important to promote family-based physical activity initiatives and encourage couples to be active together during pregnancy and postpartum. Key messages Couples seem to change physical activity patterns similarly during pregnancy and postpartum. as compared to pre-pregnancy. It is important to promote family-based physical activity initiatives and encourage couples to be active together during pregnancy and postpartum.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-214
Author(s):  
Yuliya S. Medkova ◽  
D. R Markar’yan ◽  
I. A Tulina ◽  
Yu. A Churina ◽  
L. S Aleksandrov ◽  
...  

Introduction. Nowadays there are no sufficient evidence based data for a scientifically approach to the treatment of hemorrhoids during pregnancy and after childbirth, as well as current data of the prevalence of hemorrhoidal thrombosis (HT) and possible risk factors. Material and methods. The study included pregnant women and puerperas who were actively diagnosed with chronic hemorrhoids (CH) and HT. The physical examination was performed four times: at the woman’s initial visit to the obstetrician-gynecologist, at 24 weeks of pregnancy, at 36 weeks of pregnancy, in the postpartum period (within 7 days after delivery). Patients suffering from HT were asked to answer a questionnaire to determine possible risk factors. Results. A study was conducted on a population of 668 women. 104 women was diagnosed with CH in the postpartum period, and 81 - during pregnancy. The median VAS score with HT was 7. Second delivery, age over 30 years old, lack of physical activity during pregnancy and vaginal delivery are possible risk factors for the development of HT. Conclusions. In the presence of a high risk of HT during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, preventive examinations by a coloproctologist are an important aspect of patient management.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbi Lane-Cordova ◽  
Melissa Jones ◽  
Janet M Catov ◽  
Bethany Barone Gibbs

Background: Pregnancy influences longer-term vascular health for women. Moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SED) have been associated with blood pressure (BP) in non-pregnant adults. Self-reported pregnancy MVPA has been associated with less risk of hypertension during pregnancy, but associations of MVPA and SED patterns during pregnancy and postpartum BP have not been investigated. Methods: MVPA and SED were measured objectively in women in each trimester of a singleton pregnancy using triaxial and positional accelerometers and defined using established cut points. Systolic and diastolic BP obtained at the 6-week postpartum clinic visit were abstracted from medical charts. Latent class trajectory modeling was used to assign women to one of three MVPA and SED trajectory groups: low, medium, and high. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate differences in systolic and diastolic BP between trajectory groups and linear regression was used to test for associations of MVPA and SED trajectory group assignment with BP. Adjustment variables included age, race, and postpartum BMI. Results: Of the 101 women in the study, 23 were African American, mean age = 31±0.5 years and mean postpartum BMI = 27.6±0.7 kg/m 2 . Mean postpartum systolic and diastolic BP were 114±1 and 71±1 mmHg. Systolic BP was similar among MVPA and SED trajectory groups. Diastolic BP differed between MVPA (low: 76±2, medium: 70±1, high: 70±2 mmHg, p<0.05) and SED (low: 71±3, medium: 69±1, high: 74±1, p<0.05) trajectory groups. In adjusted analyses, SED, but not MVPA, trajectory assignment was significantly associated with postpartum diastolic BP, b=3.1, 95% CI: 0.6, 5.6, p<0.02. Compared to the low SED trajectory, assignment to the high SED trajectory was associated with 4.9 (95% CI: -0.2, 10.0) mmHg higher diastolic BP in the adjusted model. Conclusions: SED trajectory across three trimesters of pregnancy was associated with postpartum diastolic BP, even after accounting for biologic covariates and MVPA. Results suggest avoiding high SED during pregnancy might help improve diastolic BP after delivery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-148
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Schlaff ◽  
Meghan Baruth ◽  
Faith C. LaFramboise ◽  
Samantha J. Deere

Background: Relationships among moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), body satisfaction, and postpartum depressive symptoms are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to examine the (1) impact of postpartum body satisfaction and changes in MVPA on postpartum depressive symptoms and (2) moderating effect of changes in MVPA over time on the relationship between postpartum body satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Methods: Participants (N = 269) self-reported body satisfaction, MVPA (prepregnancy through postpartum), and postpartum depressive symptoms. Differences in MVPA at 3 time points (prepregnancy, third trimester, and postpartum) were calculated to create change scores. Main effects and interactions (body satisfaction × MVPA change) were examined using multiple regression. Results: A majority of the sample did not meet MVPA recommendations at all time points. All body satisfaction measures were inversely related to postpartum depressive symptoms (P = .01 to <.001). MVPA change did not predict postpartum depressive symptoms (P = .43–.90) or moderate the relationship between body satisfaction and postpartum depressive symptoms (P = .14–.94). Conclusions: Given the relationship between postpartum body satisfaction and depressive symptoms, intervention research should include strategies that promote positive postpartum body image; clinicians should consider screening for body dissatisfaction. Although not a predictor or moderator, pregnancy and postpartum MVPA promotion should continue, as it has numerous other benefits.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 501-510
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Schlaff ◽  
Claudia Holzman ◽  
Kimberly S. Maier ◽  
Karin A. Pfieffer ◽  
James M. Pivarnik

Prospective studies examining postpartum weight retention (PPWR) in relation to the appropriateness of gestational weight gain (GWG) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy and postpartum are lacking. While utilizing varying estimates of prepregnancy weight, we sought to prospectively examine associations among the aforementioned variables. Our sample consisted of a subset of women from the Archive for Research on Child Health Study (n = 68). Prepregnancy weight was obtained via questionnaire and birth certificates. GWG (2 estimates) was calculated by subtracting prepregnancy weight estimates from weight at delivery and classified as “excess” or “not excess.” Pregnancy and postpartum LTPA were self-reported and dichotomized at recommended levels. Prepregnancy weight estimates were subtracted from self-reported postpartum weight to calculate 2 estimates of PPWR at 6 months. Linear regression was used to examine relationships among GWG and LTPA, and PPWR. Estimates of excess GWG were associated with increased PPWR (mean difference = 3.3-8.9 kg), even after adjustment for prepregnancy body mass index and breastfeeding. Meeting pregnancy and postpartum LTPA recommendations did not significantly predict PPWR. Our findings highlight the importance of encouraging appropriate GWG and provide insight into the impact varying estimates of prepregnancy weight may have when exploring associations among these variables.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Connolly ◽  
Deborah L. Feltz ◽  
James M. Pivarnik

Pregnant and postpartum women have reported a number of barriers that prevent them from being sufficiently physically active. Overcoming these barriers is critical to ensure the health benefits of physical activity to both mother and fetus. The primary focus of this review centers on the potential impact social support may have in overcoming each of the primary barriers to physical activity experienced during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A reasonable body of research exists regarding the relationships between social support and these barriers; however, few investigations have specifically attempted to mitigate the effects of these barriers via social support interventions. Within this review, the enabling influence of social support as it pertains to pregnant and postpartum women's physical activity is discussed. Recommendations are suggested for the application of social support in future research investigations involving physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum.


2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHELLE R. CONWAY ◽  
MALLORY R. MARSHALL ◽  
REBECCA A. SCHLAFF ◽  
KARIN A. PFEIFFER ◽  
JAMES M. PIVARNIK

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