scholarly journals Decreased Physical Activity during Pregnancy Is Associated with Excessive Gestational Weight Gain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12597
Author(s):  
Jia-Jing Sun ◽  
Li-Yin Chien
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
The Body ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Excessive Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

The majority of pregnant women in Taiwan are not considered physically active. During pregnancy, many women decrease their physical activity levels when compared to pre-pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between decreased physical activity from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG). This study applied a prospective panel design. Recruitment was conducted at six medical facilities in Taiwan and lasted from August 2016 to April 2017. Physical activity levels were determined both before and during pregnancy using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form, with data subsequently being transformed into METs-min/week. Excessive GWG was determined based on the body mass index (BMI) specific GWG range. We recruited 747 pregnant women in their second trimester and followed them through to one-month postpartum. About 40% of participants (41.2%) exhibited excessive GWG. Physical activity decreased from an average of 2261 (SD = 3999) to 1252 (SD = 2258) METs-min/week from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy (p < 0.0001). Controlling for age and pre-pregnancy BMI, a logistic regression model revealed that a decline in physical activity of > 4000 METs-min/week from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for excessive GWG (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.27–4.43). A substantial decrease in physical activity from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy was a risk factor for excessive GWG. Although most women decreased their physical activity during pregnancy, only those pregnant women who were physically active pre-pregnancy could show the kind of large decrease that resulted in excessive GWG. Health professionals should continue to develop strategies for counteracting the problematic trend of decreasing PA during pregnancy among low-risk pregnant women.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions on Pregnancy-Related Outcomes among Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen W. H. Chan ◽  
Elce Au Yeung ◽  
Bernard M. H. Law
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health

Regular physical activity has been demonstrated to contribute to physical and psychological health. Nevertheless, pregnant women generally exhibit low levels of physical activity. Implementation of interventions that enhance the self-efficacy of pregnant women on increasing physical activity is required. This paper provides an in-depth review of studies reporting the effect of various physical activity interventions dedicated for pregnant women on pregnancy-related issues, including gestational weight gain, pain and depression, physical activity level, and quality of life among these individuals. Five databases were used in searching the literature. Findings of the included studies were presented narratively, and appraisal of their methodological quality was conducted using the quality assessment tool developed by Effective Public Health Practice Project. Review findings demonstrated that physical activity interventions are effective in enhancing physical activity levels of pregnant women. Further, they are potentially useful in alleviating pregnancy-related pain and psychological symptoms, reducing gestational weight gain, and increasing self-efficacy in enhancing physical activity levels among these individuals. Nevertheless, inconsistencies in findings between studies hamper the drawing of firm conclusions on these latter outcomes. Overall, studies demonstrated a positive effect of physical activity interventions on the well-being and physical and psychological health of pregnant women.

scholarly journals Association Between Maternal Body Mass and Physical Activity Counseling During Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly Ruart ◽  
Stéphane Sinnapah ◽  
Olivier Hue ◽  
Eustase Janky ◽  
Sophie Antoine-Jonville
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Excessive Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Weight Problem ◽  
Weight Problems

Aims: The antenatal period provides an important opportunity for giving advice on healthy lifestyle choices. However, the prevalence of maternal obesity is increasing, and women report that they do not receive counseling. We investigated the information given to pregnant women on gestational weight gain, physical activity, and nutrition during pregnancy in relation with their initial weight status, current gestational weight gain and diagnoses of either pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity or excessive gestational weight gain.Methods: Cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire. Pregnant participants (n = 141) were recruited from a midwife center. They completed a structured questionnaire on the information they received during their pregnancy and we assessed its relationship with their weight.Results: We found that many pregnant women did not receive advice about physical activity, gestational weight gain and nutrition (37.5, 53.2, and 66.2%, respectively). Women with weight problems (pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and excessive gestational weight gain) were less targeted for counseling, although more than 80% of the women viewed receiving information on these topics as positive. Also, being informed of a weight problem was associated with a greater chance of receiving information about physical activity, gestational weight gain and nutrition (all p &lt; 0.05). However, verbalization of the weight problems was low (14.0% of women with pre-pregnancy overweight were informed of their status).Conclusion: Health professionals should dispense more information, especially on PA and particularly for women with weight problems. Verbalization of the weight problem seems associated with more frequent transmission of information.

scholarly journals Physical activity during pregnancy and association with changes in fat mass and adipokines in women of normal-weight or with obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrika Andersson-Hall ◽  
Hanna de Maré ◽  
Freja Askeli ◽  
Mats Börjesson ◽  
Agneta Holmäng
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Leptin Resistance ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Gestational Weight

AbstractAdipose tissue and adipokine concentrations change markedly during pregnancy, but the effects of physical activity on these changes are rarely studied. We aimed to assess physical activity levels in pregnant women of normal-weight (NW) or with obesity (OB), and to determine the relation with changes in fat mass and adipokines. In each trimester, pregnant women (136 NW, 51 OB) were interviewed about their physical activity and had their body composition, leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) and adiponectin determined. NW reported higher activity and more aerobic exercise than OB during early pregnancy. Both groups maintained training frequency but reduced overall activity as pregnancy progressed. NW women reporting aerobic and/or resistance exercise and OB women reporting aerobic exercise had greater sOB-R increases (independent of BMI or gestational weight gain). In NW, exercise also associated with lower fat mass and leptin increases. Higher activity levels associated with lower gestational weight gain in both groups. The relationship between physical activity and adiponectin differed between NW and OB. Maternal exercise may partly mediate its beneficial effects through regulation of leptin bioavailability, by enhancing pregnancy-induced increases in sOB-R. This could be of particular importance in OB with pre-gestational hyperleptinemia and leptin resistance.

Development and Evaluation of a Theory-Based App for Managing Gestational Weight Gain for Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Fang Lee ◽  
Li-Kang Chi ◽  
Yvonne Hsiung ◽  
Jian-Pei Huang ◽  
Chun-Wei Chang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Healthy Behavior ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Methodological Guidelines

BACKGROUND Overweight and obese women’s excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) may be a health risk for both the mother and the fetus; excessive GWG leads to the retention of weight postpartum and thus obesity. Given the overwhelming number of existing pregnancy-related applications (apps), we lack only a few methodological guidelines for integrating theory, evidence and previously validated apps to help overweight and obese women manage their GWG during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE This two-phase study aimed to develop the MyHealthyWeight (MHW) app based on social-cognitive theory (SCT) and evaluate its effectiveness for overweight and obese women in helping prevent excessive GWG by enhancing adherence to optimal GWG goals and healthy behavior during pregnancy. METHODS First, we constructed and developed the MHW app based on SCT theory, and we later employed a mixed-method study to evaluate the effects of the app on overweight and obese pregnant women. RESULTS All participating overweight and obese pregnant women (100%) achieved their optimal GWG through increased self-efficacy and physical activity. Their total and moderate-intensity physical activity expenditures improved, while their sedentary and light-intensity levels of physical activity decreased. CONCLUSIONS This theory-based MHW app for weight management was greatly valued by the pregnant users. Its usefulness for health-care professionals in assisting overweight and obese pregnant women in preventing excessive GWG by promoting healthy behavior, in particular through physical exercise and a healthy diet, during pregnancy was also confirmed. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04553718

Greater energy demand of exercise during pregnancy does not impact mechanical efficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 493-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Denize ◽  
Pegah Akbari ◽  
Danilo Fernandes da Silva ◽  
Francois Haman ◽  
Kristi B. Adamo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Mechanical Efficiency ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Gestational Weight

Pregnant women are recommended to engage in 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity per week to reduce pregnancy complications. Many women struggle to remain physically active throughout pregnancy, and there is no consensus about whether women adopt a less efficient movement pattern as they progress through pregnancy and experience gestational weight gain. This study assessed the change in energy expenditure and mechanical efficiency in pregnant women (PREG; n = 10) when performing a walking treadmill task in early, mid, and late pregnancy and also compared with an age- and body mass index-matched, nonpregnant (CON; n = 10) group. On average, the PREG group gained within the Institute of Medicine’s gestational weight gain guidelines (11.6 ± 3.6 kg) and were all inactive (measured using accelerometry), except for 1 participant, by the third trimester, as per the 2019 Canadian physical activity guidelines for pregnant women. Energy expended to complete the walking task increased throughout pregnancy and was higher than the controls (111.5 ± 24.6 kcal) in mid and late pregnancy (139.0 ± 22.2 kcal, p = 0.02, and 147.3 ± 24.6 kcal, p = 0.005, respectively), but not early pregnancy (129.9 ± 18.9 kcal, p = 0.08). Walking mechanical efficiency was similar within pregnant women at each time point and compared to nonpregnant controls. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that pregnant women can safely perform physical activity by showing that walking mechanical efficiency is unchanged at low to moderate intensities. Novelty Energy demand during exercise increases proportionally to weight gain across pregnancy trimesters. However, mechanical efficiency remains unchanged during low- to moderate-intensity walking.

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