Abstract
BackgroundWomen in low-income countries are generally considered to have a high physical workload which is sustained during pregnancy. Although most previous studies have been based on questionnaires a recent meta-analysis of doubly labeled water data has raised questions about the actual amount of physical activity performed. In this study we report objectively assessed levels of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness among pregnant urban Ethiopian women, and their association with demographic characteristics and anthropometric measures.MethodsPhysical activity was measured for seven consecutive days in 304 women using a combined uniaxial accelerometer and heart rate sensor. Activity energy expenditure was determined using a group calibration in a branched equation model framework. Type and duration of activities were reported using a 24-hour physical activity recall and grip strength was assessed using a dynamometer.ResultsMedian (interquartile-range, IQR) activity energy expenditure was 31.1 (23.7-42.0) kJ/kg/day corresponding to a median (IQR) physical activity level of 1.46 (1.39-1.58). Median (IQR) time in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity was 1100 (999–1175), 303 (223–374) and 40 (22–69) min/day, respectively. Mean (standard deviation) sleeping heart rate was 73.6 (8.0) beats/min and grip strength was 21.6 (4.5) kg. Activity energy expenditure was 14% higher for every 10 cm2 difference in arm muscle area and 10% lower for every 10 cm2 difference in arm fat area and 10-week difference in gestational age.ConclusionThe level and intensity of physical activity among pregnant women from urban Ethiopia is low compared to non-pregnant women from other low income countries as well as pregnant European women from high-income countries.
Highlights
Women in low-income countries are generally considered to have a high physical workload which is sustained during pregnancy
Median (IQR) Activity energy expenditure (AEE) was 31.1 (23.7-42.0) kJ/kg/day corresponding to a median (IQR) Physical activity level (PAL) of 1.46 (1.39-1.58)
The monitor used in the current study was a small, lightweight monitor, it was easy to use in the field, and the method used for converting heart rate and acceleration into AEE provide similar estimates of AEE as indirect calorimetry in both laboratory settings [21,22] and in the free-living environment, the latter showing good agreement with the doubly labeled water method in adults from Cameroon [9]
Summary
Women in low-income countries are generally considered to have a high physical workload which is sustained during pregnancy. In this study we report objectively assessed levels of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness among pregnant urban Ethiopian women, and their association with demographic characteristics and anthropometric measures. Combined heart rate (HR) and movement sensing has recently been shown to provide valid estimates of freeliving physical activity [9]. This objective method has been applied to pregnant European populations [10,11] but to our knowledge, never to a pregnant population in a low-income setting. We report objectively assessed levels of physical activity, as well as cardiorespiratory- and muscular fitness among urban pregnant women in Ethiopia. We report associations between these measures and demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements
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