More activity during pregnancy = better mood and less worries
Physical activity, depressed mood and pregnancy worries in European obese pregnant women: results from the DALI study
Title | More activity during pregnancy = better mood and less worries |
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Authors | de Wit et al |
Journal | BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth |
Web Link | Click here |
Year | 2015 |
Why they did it?
Studies have shown that exercise and physical activity during pregnancy leads to better health for both the expecting mother and unborn child. These include a healthier birth weight and a reduced risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and depression/anxiety. Public health agencies recommend pregnant women to be active in moderate-intensity activities (e.g. brisk walking) for at least 30 minutes on most, and preferably all, days of the week. However, many pregnant women fail to meet these recommendations. Pregnant women who are overweight or obese are one sub-group who is at most risk of health complications. However, a limitation of existing studies is that most do not use objective assessments of physical activity, and rely on survey data. This is an issue because many over report their activity levels when completing surveys. The aim of this study is to examine the association between mental health status and objectively measured physical activity levels of obese pregnant women.
How they did it?
This study was part of a large randomized controlled trail conducted across nine European countries. Further details of this study can found at elsewhere (1). This study used the baseline data to conduct a cross-sectional analysis. A total of 98 women (mean age 31.6 years) who were less than 20 weeks pregnant and had a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥ 29 kg/m were included in the study. Physical activity was objectively measured with an accelerometer, which participants were asked to wear for a 7-day period. During the wear-period, time spent in sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous-intensity activity was estimated. Mental health was assessed using several validated questionnaires to examine levels of depression and pregnancy-related worries.
What they found?
Of the 98 participants, 26 (27%) reported having a depressed mood. When compared to non-depressed women, depressed women reported higher levels levels of pregnancy-related worries. On average non-depressed women spent more time in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity (at least brisk walking) when compared to depressed women (24.4 vs 13.3 mins/day). There were no differences in time spent in sedentary (e.g. sitting or standing still) between the two groups. The data showed that non-depressed participants spent 85% more time in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity compared to the depressed women.
Ok, what does this mean to me?
A limitation of this study was the cross-sectional design and short study duration. For example, the 7-day monitoring period may not be reflective of individual’s ‘true’ activity. Nevertheless, this study showed that regular moderate-to-vigorous-intensity is related to a decrease risk of depression among pregnant overweight and obese women. Upon clearance to exercise by a medical practitioner, pregnant clients should be made aware of the positive health outcomes associated with exercise during this important phase of their life.
References
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