title: Changes in Leisure-Time Physical Activity From the Prepregnancy to the Postpartum Period: 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and its correlates from prepregnancy to the postpartum period in mothers enrolled in a Brazilian birth cohort study. Our hypothesis was that LTPA would decline considerably during pregnancy.
  
  
  
  Maternal LTPA in the 3 months before pregnancy and during each trimester of pregnancy was assessed soon after delivery. A follow-up visit was conducted 3 months later. Weekly frequency and duration of each session of LTPA in a typical week were assessed for each period and a cut-off point of 150 minutes per week was used to classify women as active or not.
  
  
  
  The proportion of women active in leisure time declined from 11.3% in the prepregnancy to 2.3% in pregnancy and 0.1% in the postpartum period (P for trend <0.001). When considering any LTPA practice, the decline ranged from 15.4% to 4.4% and 7.5% (p for trend <0.001), respectively. Higher income, higher education and lower parity were the main predictors of LTPA practice.
  
  
  
  LTPA declined considerably during pregnancy and did not return to prepregnancy levels at 3 months postpartum. Mothers must be advised on the benefits of LTPA prepregnancy, during, and postpregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coll
authors.forename: Marlos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Domingues
authors.forename: Iná
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matijasevich
authors.forename: Bernardo Lessa
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Horta
authors.forename: Pedro C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hallal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009043:Motor Activity; D049590:Postpartum Period; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult