Factors associated with the level of physical activity in a multi-ethnic pregnant population \u2013 a cross-sectional study at the time of diagnosis with gestational diabetes

L Garnweidner-Holme,M Lukasse,K Bjerkan,J Lium,L Henriksen

doi:10.1186/s12884-021-04335-x

Abstract

BackgroundRegular physical activity during pregnancy can prevent several adverse health outcomes during this period of a woman’s life. Previous studies have shown that many women do not meet national recommendations for physical activity. This study aims to examine factors associated with sufficient leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in a multicultural sample of pregnant women recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study among 238 pregnant women. The women were recruited at diabetes outpatient clinics in the Oslo region of Norway from October 2015 to April 2017. The participants reported their activity levels using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to assess differences in socio-demographic, health and pregnancy-related characteristics in relation to sufficient and insufficient LTPA, and logistic regression modelling was employed to predict the likelihood of insufficient LTPA.ResultsLess than half of the women in the sample (44.5%) had sufficient LTPA according to the minimum of ≥600 Met minutes per week. The majority of women were motivated to be physically active during pregnancy (84.9%). A low joint family income and being over 38 years of age increased the odds of not having sufficient LTPA. Women with sufficient LTPA had significantly higher scores of perceived health (p = 0.007).ConclusionsThe study indicates that pregnant women need to be better informed about the positive effects of physical activity on individually perceived health. To address the low levels of LTPA among pregnant women, communication strategies must be tailored towards women with low socio-economic backgrounds.Trial registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02588729

Highlights

Regular physical activity during pregnancy can prevent several adverse health outcomes during this period of a woman’s life
Regular physical activity during pregnancy can have a preventive effect on the development of gestational diabetes mellitus, excessive maternal weight gain [1] and other adverse pregnancy outcomes such as caesarean section [2] and preeclampsia [3] and complications during labour [4]
We performed a cross‐sectional study with baseline data from the Pregnant+ study, a randomised controlled trial (RCT) among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) [24] (ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02588729)

Summary

Introduction

Regular physical activity during pregnancy can prevent several adverse health outcomes during this period of a woman’s life. Previous studies have shown that many women do not meet national recommendations for physical activity. Regular physical activity during pregnancy can have a preventive effect on the development of gestational diabetes mellitus, excessive maternal weight gain [1] and other adverse pregnancy outcomes such as caesarean section [2] and preeclampsia [3] and complications during labour [4]. A review of international guidelines for physical activity during pregnancy in women with uncomplicated pregnancies and women with GDM in the period 2000– 2018 shows that most countries included in the review recommend moderate intensity exercise for at least 60–150 minutes per week [6]. Norwegian guidelines recommend that pregnant women should engage in moderate-intense physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week [7]. Women generally decrease their physical activity as pregnancy progresses [14] and spend the majority of their day being sedentary (up to 60%), as shown by motion sensor data from the USA [13]

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