Physical activity during pregnancy in Italy: prevalence, intensity and associated factors

Abstract

Abstract Background Recently the Italian Ministry of Health, following WHO and ACOG example, recommend that healthy pregnant women practice at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity activity (3-6 METs). The study aimed to evaluate if women meet guidelines and to identify potential target groups for public health intervention. Methods From November 2015 to November 2017, 390 women completed, just after delivery at an Italian hospital, a questionnaire about sports and exercise before and during pregnancy. Physical activity (PA) was classified according to intensity in Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET). Women were considered sufficiently active when reaching the recommended PA levels. Results 52% of women practiced any sport at anytime during pregnancy, with a higher prevalence in the II trimester (45%), while only 30% of women kept exercising throughout all trimesters. When including time and sport intensity, only 4,6%, 6,4% and 4,6% of women reached the recommended PA levels in the I, II and III trimester. Sufficiently active women practiced mainly swimming and walking, two highly recommend sports in pregnancy. Factors favour PA practice were Italian nationality, higher educational level, work, BMI, attending birthing classes and being active before pregnancy. However, even without contraindications, 26% of women active before pregnancy stopped exercising in pregnancy and only 15% achieved recommended PA levels. 58% of sedentary women before pregnancy, kept being sedentary in pregnancy. Conclusions Although half of women practiced sport during pregnancy, only a few were sufficiently regular and active. As pregnancy is an ideal time to adopt or to reinforce a healthy lifestyle, public health interventions should be strengthen considering also specific target groups. Key messages Effective public health policies should be identified and implemented to favour an active lifestyle during pregnancy. Specific target groups less prone to meet PA guidelines should also be addressed.