Long-term effects of regular exercise during pregnancy on overweight and obese gravidas: one-year follow-up of a previous randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective To investigate the long-term effects of regular exercise during pregnancy on overweight and obese gravidas. Methods This study was based on a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) regarding Effect of Regular Exercise Commenced in Early Pregnancy on the Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women conducted at Peking University First Hospital from December 2014 to July 2016. Totally 265 women whose prepregnant body mass index (BMI) ≥24.0 kg/m2 were enrolled in the RCT and were randomly assigned to exercise group (n=132) and control group (n=133). This study was a follow-up of all the participants at one year after delivery from March 2016 to August 2017. Body weight, body fat, fasting and 2 h glucose level in 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin resistance index and lipid profiles were compared. We also evaluated their physical activities with International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), their dietary habits with modified Adult Dietary Behavior Assessment Scale and depression condition with Postpartum Depression Screen Scale (PDSS). Two independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results The overall follow-up rate was 51.7% (137/265), while 64.4% (85/132) in the exercise group and 39.1% (52/133) in the control group. No significant difference in body weight loss [2.3 (-6.0 to 5.0) vs 1.0 (-1.3 to 4.7) kg], body fat percentage [(38.04±4.54)% vs (37.51±4.90) %], 2 h glucose level in 75 g OGTT [(7.30±2.80) vs (7.32±1.61) mmol/L], abnormal glucose tolerance ratio [30.0% (9/30) vs 28.8% (17/59)] or insulin resistance index (2.92±1.77 vs 2.86±1.92) was found between the control and exercise group (t or Z=-0.940, 0.312, 3.415, 0.005, 1.743, all P>0.05). However, the fasting blood glucose in 75 g OGTT was higher in the control group [(5.53±0.92) vs (5.28±0.43) mmol/L, t=9.268, P=0.003]. The two groups showed no significant difference (exercise group vs control group) in physical activity level [219 (99-504) vs 195 (99-351)], total score of dietary habits [79.00 (72.50-87.50) vs 76.00 (70.00-82.00)] or PDSS score of depression [55.00 (41.00-77.00) vs 70.00 (46.25-84.75)] at follow-up (Z=-0.808, -1.822, -1.620, all P>0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the level of serum triglyceride [(1.25±1.04) vs (1.42±0.85) mmol/L], total cholesterol [(4.56±0.71) vs (4.40±0.67) mmol/L], high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [(1.32±0.29) vs (1.22±0.21) mmol/L] or low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [(2.67±0.56) vs (2.55±0.52) mmol/L] between the exercise and control group (t=0.001, 0.020, 3.255, 0.303, all P>0.05). Conclusions Regular exercise during pregnancy has no long-term effect on maternal health in the absence of continuing lifestyle intervention after delivery. Therefore, postpartum follow-up and continued education on healthy lifestyle should be emphasized. Key words: High body mass index; Exercise intervention; Postpartum; Long-term outcomes of mothers and offspring