Leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy in the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study.
OBJECTIVE
Physical activity during pregnancy is a poorly investigated subject on population level. The study aimed to describe duration, type and frequency of leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy, and to explore its associated factors.


METHODS
A population-based study was carried out during 2004 in Southern Brazil. A total of 4,471 mothers were interviewed soon after delivery. Physical activity was measured using a questionnaire, developed for the study. Results were obtained by Poisson regression.


RESULTS
In the sample, 14.8% of women reported to engage in some type of physical activity prior to pregnancy and 12.9% during pregnancy. In the first trimester, 10.4% of all mothers engaged in some type of physical activity; 8.5% in the second trimester and 6.5% in the third trimester. Only 194 mothers (4.3%) were active during the whole pregnancy. In the adjusted analysis, leisure-time physical activity was positively associated with schooling, physical activity advice during prenatal care, and family income (p<0.001), being employed during pregnancy (p=0.05), and number of pregnancies (p=0.02). Walking was the most frequent activity.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of leisure-time physical activity is low among Brazilian pregnant women. Although physical activity is not perceived as being pregnancy-threatening, and current guidelines recommend it, this population's behavior does not seem to be changing. Active lifestyle for both pregnant women and future mothers should be encouraged.
Domingues
Marlos Rodrigues
MR
Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Av. Duque de Caxias 150, 96030-002 Pelotas, RS, Brazil. coriolis@vetorial.net
Barros
Aluísio J D
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008875:Middle Aged; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires