Evaluating effects of self-reported domestic physical activity on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in "stay at home" military wives.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if an association exists between daily physical activity, and pregnancy/neonatal outcomes in stay at home military wives.


METHODS
This is a prospective observational study of pregnant military wives who do not work outside the home. Participants completed a validated questionnaire of their daily activity from which the average energy expenditure per day (kcal/day) was calculated. Participants were grouped, according to their energy expenditure and assessed for antepartum, intrapartum, and neonatal outcomes.


RESULTS
There were 55 women (group 1) who expended ≤ 2,200 kcal/day, 77 expended 2,201 to 3,000 kcal/day, and 58 expended ≥ 3,001 kcal/day. Group 1 had the lowest maternal weight at first visit (p < 0.001) and delivery (p < 0.001) and highest percentage of primigravidas (p = 0.002). After adjusting for key maternal characteristics, women in group 1 were more likely to develop gestational diabetes. Although not significant, the women in group 1 had more intrauterine growth restriction and preterm labor whereas group 3 had a greater risk of antepartum hemorrhage.


CONCLUSIONS
Primigravida women of low weight not working are most likely to use the least energy compared to the heaviest women who use the most calories and are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
School of Nursing, Old Dominion University, 5115 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
Kathleen F
KF
Putnam
Lucus A
LA
Mueller
Everett F
EF
Magann
Andrew
A
Thagard
Alan M
AM
Johnson
Songthip T
ST
Ounpraseuth
John C
JC
Morrison
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D020073:Gravidity; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult