Are South African Mothers Moving? Patterns and Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Pregnant Black South African Women.
Although physical activity during pregnancy may be beneficial, the prenatal period is a vulnerable time for decreasing physical activity levels and increasing sedentary time.



This longitudinal cohort study measured physical activity using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) in singleton, pregnant women in the second (14-18 wk gestation; n = 332) and third trimester (29-33 wk; n = 256).



There was a significant decrease in total MVPA (MET mins/wk) between the second and third trimester (P = .01). The majority of physical activity time was spent in walking for transport (80%), and less than 2% in recreational activities. In both trimesters, being married was inversely associated with walking for transport (second trimester: β = -0.12 95% CI = -0.31 to -0.02, third trimester: β = -0.17 95% CI = -0.47 to -0.07) and owning a car was positively associated with recreational physical activity (second trimester: β = 0.16 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.32, third trimester: β = 0.17 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.27). The women spent an average of 5 hours per day sitting.



The low and declining levels of physical activity during pregnancy in this population are a concern. Interventions that include lifestyle education and provision of accessible recreational physical activity programs for pregnant women are needed.
Estelle D
ED
Watson
Mireille N M
MNM
Van Poppel
Rachel A
RA
Jones
Shane A
SA
Norris
Lisa K
LK
Micklesfield
D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D037841:Pregnant People; D011998:Recreation; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking; D015430:Weight Gain
exercise; low-to-middle income country; obesity; pregnancy; prenatal