Abstract
BackgroundA low physical activity (PA) level in pregnancy is associated with several adverse health outcomes. Early identification of pregnant women at risk of physical inactivity could inform strategies to promote PA, but no studies so far have presented attempts to develop prognostic models for low PA in pregnancy. Based on moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) objectively recorded in mid/late pregnancy, our objectives were to describe MVPA levels and compliance with the PA guideline (≥150 MVPA minutes/week), and to develop a prognostic model for non-compliance with the PA guideline.MethodsFrom a multi-ethnic population-based cohort, we analysed data from 555 women with MVPA recorded in gestational week (GW) 28 with the monitor SenseWear™ Pro3 Armband. Predictor variables were collected in early pregnancy (GW 15). We organized the predictors within the domains health, culture, socioeconomic position, pregnancy, lifestyle, psychosocial factors, perceived preventive effect of PA and physical neighbourhood. The development of the prognostic model followed several steps, including univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.ResultsOverall, 25 % complied with the PA guideline, but the proportion was lower in South Asians (14 %) and Middle Easterners (16 %) compared with Westerners (35 %). Among South Asians and Middle Easterners, 35 and 28 %, respectively, did not accumulate any MVPA minutes/week compared with 18 % among Westerners. The predictors retained in the prognostic model for PA guideline non-compliance were ethnic minority background, multiparity, high body fat percentage, and perception of few physically active friends. The prognostic model provided fair discrimination between women who did vs. did not comply with the PA guideline.ConclusionOverall, the proportion who complied with the PA guideline in GW 28 was low, and women with ethnic minority background, multiparity, high body fat percentage and few physically active friends had increased probability of non-compliance. The prognostic model showed fair performance in discriminating between women who did comply and those who did not comply with the PA guideline.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0985-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
A low physical activity (PA) level in pregnancy is associated with several adverse health outcomes
We have previously reported on objectively recorded moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) in early pregnancy from the STORK Groruddalen cohort from which we report in the present study [19]
PA guideline compliance Overall, 25 % complied with the PA guideline in gestational week (GW) 28
Summary
A low physical activity (PA) level in pregnancy is associated with several adverse health outcomes. While there is a considerable uncertainty around the cost-effectiveness of interventions including PA promotion during pregnancy [8], the potential for health care workers to reach women across social groups is evident. By capitalizing on this window of opportunity, PA promotion during pregnancy may have long-lasting impact on health outcomes and social health inequalities. There is evidence of substantial health benefit from performing 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) [9,10,11], and the same activity target is recommended for healthy pregnant women [12,13]. In addition to true population differences, this partly reflects different guidelines and methods of PA measurement
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