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

Hayes, Louise, McParlin, Catherine, Kinnunen, Tarja I., Poston, Lucilla, Robson, Stephen C. and Bell, Ruth (2015) Change in level of physical activity during pregnancy in obese women: findings from the UPBEAT pilot trial. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15 (1). p. 52. ISSN 1471-2393

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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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