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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Premature Birth | Research article

The influence of exercise during pregnancy on racial/ethnic health disparities and birth outcomes

Authors: Madigan J. Raper, Samantha McDonald, Carol Johnston, Christy Isler, Edward Newton, Devon Kuehn, David Collier, Nicholas T. Broskey, Adrienne Muldrow, Linda E. May

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Non-Hispanic black (NHB) pregnant women disproportionately experience adverse birth outcomes compared to Non-Hispanic white (NHW) pregnant women. The positive effects of prenatal exercise on maternal and neonatal health may mitigate these disparities. This study evaluated the influence of prenatal exercise on racial/ethnic disparities in gestational age (GA), birthweight (BW), and risks of preterm birth (PTB), cesarean section (CS), and low-birthweight (LBW) neonates.

Methods

This study performed a secondary data analysis using data from a 24-week, two-arm exercise intervention trial (ENHANCED by Mom). Women with singleton pregnancies (< 16 weeks), aged 18–40 years, BMI between 18.5–34.99 kg/m², and no preexisting health conditions were eligible. The aerobic exercisers (EX) participated in 150 min of moderate-intensity weekly exercise while non-exercising controls (CON) attended low-intensity stretching/breathing sessions. Data on GA, PTB (< 37 weeks), BW, LBW (< 2.5 kg), and delivery mode were collected. Poisson, median and linear regressions were performed.

Results

Participants with complete data (n = 125) were eligible for analyses (EX: n = 58, CON: n = 67). NHB pregnant women delivered lighter neonates (β = − 0.43 kg, 95% CI: − 0.68, − 0.18, p = 0.001). After adjusting for prenatal exercise, racial/ethnic disparities in BW were reduced (β = − 0.39 kg, 95% CI: − 0.65, − 0.13, p = 0.004). Prenatal exercise reduced borderline significant racial/ethnic disparities in PTB (p = 0.053) and GA (p = 0.07) with no effects found for CS and LBW.

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrate that prenatal exercise may attenuate the racial/ethnic disparities observed in neonatal BW, and possibly GA and PTB. Larger, diverse samples and inclusion of maternal biomarkers (e.g., cytokines) are encouraged to further evaluate these relationships.

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Title: The influence of exercise during pregnancy on racial/ethnic health disparities and birth outcomes
Authors: Madigan J. Raper
Samantha McDonald
Carol Johnston
Christy Isler
Edward Newton
Devon Kuehn
David Collier
Nicholas T. Broskey
Adrienne Muldrow
Linda E. May
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Premature Birth
Sectio Ceasarea
Sectio Caesarea
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03717-5

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Springer Medicine

The influence of exercise during pregnancy on racial/ethnic health disparities and birth outcomes

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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