title: Exercise in pregnancies complicated by obesity: achieving benefits and overcoming barriers.
abstract: An increasing number of women are entering pregnancy in an overweight or obese state. Obese women and their offspring are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, which may be improved by regular moderate-intensity antenatal exercise. Current guidelines recommend that all pregnant women without contraindications engage in ≥30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on a daily basis. However, obese women are usually less physically active and tend to further reduce activity levels during pregnancy. This commentary summarizes the potential short- and long-term benefits of antenatal exercise in obese pregnant women, highlights the challenges they face, and discusses means of improving their exercise levels. In addition, we make recommendations on exercise prescription for pregnancies complicated by obesity.
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Gravida: National Centre for Growth and Development, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sumudu N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Seneviratne
authors.affiliation: Gravida: National Centre for Growth and Development, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Lesley M E
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: McCowan
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Gravida: National Centre for Growth and Development, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Wayne S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Cutfield
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: José G B
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Derraik
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Gravida: National Centre for Growth and Development, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: p.hofman@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Hofman
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: barrier; exercise; obesity; offspring; pregnancy