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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Change in level of physical activity during pregnancy in obese women: findings from the UPBEAT pilot trial

Authors: Louise Hayes, Catherine Mcparlin, Tarja I Kinnunen, Lucilla Poston, Stephen C Robson, Ruth Bell, On behalf of the UPBEAT Consortium

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes. Physical activity (PA) might improve glucose metabolism and reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes. The purpose of this study was to explore patterns of PA and factors associated with change in PA in obese pregnant women.

Methods

PA was assessed objectively by accelerometer at 16 – 18 weeks’ (T0), 27 – 28 weeks’ (T1) and 35 – 36 weeks’ gestation (T2) in 183 obese pregnant women recruited to a pilot randomised trial of a combined diet and PA intervention (the UPBEAT study).

Results

Valid PA data were available for 140 (77%), 76 (42%) and 54 (30%) women at T0, T1 and T2 respectively. Moderate and vigorous physical activity as a proportion of accelerometer wear time declined with gestation from a median of 4.8% at T0 to 3% at T2 (p < 0.05). Total activity as a proportion of accelerometer wear time did not change. Being more active in early pregnancy was associated with a higher level of PA later in pregnancy. The intervention had no effect on PA.

Conclusions

PA in early pregnancy was the factor most strongly associated with PA at later gestations. Women should be encouraged to participate in PA before becoming pregnant and to maintain their activity levels during pregnancy. There is a need for effective interventions, tailored to the needs of individuals and delivered early in pregnancy to support obese women to be sufficiently active during pregnancy.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN89971375 (Registered 28/11/2008).
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Metadata
Title
Change in level of physical activity during pregnancy in obese women: findings from the UPBEAT pilot trial
Authors
Louise Hayes
Catherine Mcparlin
Tarja I Kinnunen
Lucilla Poston
Stephen C Robson
Ruth Bell
On behalf of the UPBEAT Consortium
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-015-0479-2

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