Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Do Physical Activity Patterns Across the Lifecourse Impact Birth Outcomes?

  • Published:
Maternal and Child Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The significant impact of physical activity during, or immediately prior to pregnancy on a range of pregnancy and birth outcomes has been established. However, lifecourse theory posits that the antecedents of poor outcomes occur across a larger trajectory of time. The objective of this study was to examine whether physical activity patterns over the lifecourse impact birth outcomes. The sample (n = 1,713) was derived from Waves I, III, and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and limited to women who had their first, singleton live birth between Waves III and IV; respondents who had missing data were excluded. Outcome variables included preterm birth (<37 weeks) and low birth weight (<5.5 pounds). Physical activity was categorized as follows: long-term physically active (active at Waves I and III); short-term physically active (active at only Wave I or III); and not physically active (not active at Waves I and III). Survey-weighted logistic regression controlled for socio-demographic and established predictors of poor birth outcomes. Women categorized as long-term physically active had lower rates of preterm births (12.2 vs. 18.7 %) and low birth weight (9.1 vs. 11.1 %) compared to women categorized as not physically active. However, when controlling for covariates, adjusted analysis revealed that physical activity consistency only predicted preterm birth (aOR = 0.55, 95 % CI = 0.33–0.91). Findings suggest that physical activity patterns across the lifecourse may decrease risk of preterm birth. Implications include efforts supporting patterns of physical activity over longer periods of time prior to pregnancy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. United States Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. (1996). Physical activity and health—A report of the surgeon general: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  2. Wolin, K. Y., Glynn, R. J., Colditz, G. A., et al. (2007). Long-term physical activity patterns and health-related quality of life in US women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 32(6), 490–499. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2007.02.014.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. US Department of Health Human Services. (2008). Physical activity guidelines for Americans. Be active, healthy, and happy. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/paguide.pdf. Accessed 30 April 2014.

  4. Owe, K. M., Nystad, W., Skjaerven, R., et al. (2012). Exercise during pregnancy and the gestational age distribution: A cohort study. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 44(6), 1067–1074. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182442fc9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Schlüssel MM, de Souza EB, Reichenheim ME, et al. (2008). Physical activity during pregnancy and maternal-child health outcomes: A systematic literature review. Atividade física na gestação e desfechos da saúde materno-infantil: Uma revisão sistemática. Cadernos de Saúde Pública. 24(4), S531–S544.

  6. Evenson, K. R., Savitz, A., & Huston, S. L. (2004). Leisure-time physical activity among pregnant women in the US. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 18(6), 400–407.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2002). Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Clinical obstetrics and gynecology. Reaffirmed 2009; ACOG Committee Opinion No. 267(99):171–173.

  8. Downs, D. S., Chasan-Taber, L., Evenson, K. R., et al. (2012). Physical activity and pregnancy: Past and present evidence and future recommendations. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 83(4), 485–502.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Solomon, C. G., Willett, W. C., Carey, V. J., et al. (1997). A prospective study of pregravid determinants of gestational diabetes mellitus. JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, 278(13), 1078–1083.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Dempsey, J. C., Sorensen, T. K., Williams, M. A., et al. (2004). Prospective study of gestational diabetes mellitus risk in relation to maternal recreational physical activity before and during pregnancy. American Journal of Epidemiology, 159(7), 663–670.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Oken, E., Kleinman, K. P., Belfort, M. B., et al. (2009). Associations of gestational weight gain with short- and longer-term maternal and child health outcomes. American Journal of Epidemiology, 170(2), 173–180. doi:10.1093/aje/kwp101.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Crane, J. M., White, J., Murphy, P., et al. (2009). The effect of gestational weight gain by body mass index on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada JOGC, 31(1), 28–35.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Frederick, I. O., Williams, M. A., Sales, A. E., et al. (2008). Pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and other maternal characteristics in relation to infant birth weight. Maternal Child Health Journal, 12(5), 557–567. doi:10.1007/s10995-007-0276-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kiel, D. W., Dodson, E. A., Artal, R., et al. (2007). Gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcomes in obese women: How much is enough? Obstetrics and Gynecology, 110(4), 752–758. doi:10.1097/01.aog.0000278819.17190.87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Streuling, I., Beyerlein, A., & von Kries, R. (2010). Can gestational weight gain be modified by increasing physical activity and diet counseling? A meta-analysis of interventional trials. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92(4), 678–687. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.29363.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Weisman, C. S., Hillemeier, M. M., Downs, D. S., et al. (2010). Preconception predictors of weight gain during pregnancy: Prospective findings from the Central Pennsylvania women’s health study. Women’s Health Issues, 20(2), 126–132. doi:10.1016/j.whi.2009.12.002.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Misra, D. P., Guyer, B., & Allston, A. (2003). Integrated perinatal health framework: A multiple determinants model with a life span approach. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 25(1), 65–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Maruti, S. S., Willett, W. C., Feskanich, D., et al. (2008). A prospective study of age-specific physical activity and premenopausal breast cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 100(10), 728–737.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Palatini, P., Visentin, P., Dorigatti, F., et al. (2009). Regular physical activity prevents development of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension. European Heart Journal, 30(2), 225–232.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and Division of Reproductive Health Promotion. (2014). Preterm Birth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm. Accessed 30 April 2014.

  21. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and Division of Nutrition Physical Activity and Obesity. (2014). Pediatric and Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/pednss/what_is/pnss_health_indicators.htm. Accessed April 30 2014.

  22. Gordon-Larsen, P., Nelson, M. C., & Popkin, B. M. (2004). Longitudinal physical activity and sedentary behavior trends—Adolescence to adulthood. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 27(4), 277–283. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2004.07.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Gordon-Larsen, P., McMurray, R. G., & Popkin, B. M. (2000). Determinants of adolescent physical activity and inactivity patterns. Pediatrics, 105(6), e83–e83. doi:10.1542/peds.105.6.e83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Fraser, A. M., Brockert, J. E., & Ward, R. H. (1995). Association of young maternal age with adverse reproductive outcomes. New England Journal of Medicine, 332(17), 1113–1118. doi:10.1056/NEJM199504273321701.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Tough, S. C., Newburn-Cook, C., Johnston, D. W., et al. (2002). Delayed childbearing and its impact on population rate changes in lower birth weight, multiple birth, and preterm delivery. Pediatrics, 109(3), 399–403. doi:10.1542/peds.109.3.399.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Domingues, M. R., Barros, A. J., & Matijasevich, A. (2008). Leisure time physical activity during pregnancy and preterm birth in Brazil. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 103(1), 9–15. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.05.029.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Klebanoff, M. A., Shiono, P. H., & Carey, J. C. (1990). The effect of physical activity during pregnancy on preterm delivery and birth weight. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 163(5.1), 1450–1456.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hegaard, H. K., Petersson, K., Hedegaard, M., et al. (2010). Sports and leisure-time physical activity in pregnancy and birth weight: A population-based study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 20(1), e96–e102. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00918.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Witt, W. P., Cheng, E. R., Wisk, L. E., et al. (2014). Preterm birth in the United States: The impact of stressful life events prior to conception and maternal age. American Journal of Public Health, 104(S1), S73–S80. doi:10.2105/ajph.2013.301688.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Fox, K. R. (1999). The influence of physical activity on mental well-being. Public Health Nutrition, 2(3a), 411–418.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Collins, J. W, Jr, David, R. J., Symons, R., et al. (2000). Low-income African-American mothers’ perception of exposure to racial discrimination and infant birth weight. Epidemiology, 11(3), 337–339.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Giscombe, C. L., & Lobel, M. (2005). Explaining disproportionately high rates of adverse birth outcomes among African Americans: The impact of stress, racism, and related factors in pregnancy. Psychological Bulletin, 131(5), 662–683. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.131.5.662.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lu, M. C., & Halfon, N. (2003). Racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes: A life-course perspective. Matern Child Health Journal, 7(1), 13–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Ritter, C., Hobfoll, S. E., Lavin, J., et al. (2000). Stress, psychosocial resources, and depressive symptomatology during pregnancy in low-income, inner-city women. Health Psychology, 19(6), 576–585.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. McEwen, B. S. (2008). Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease: Understanding the protective and damaging effects of stress and stress mediators. European Journal of Pharmacology, 583(2–3), 174–185. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.11.071.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Dunn, A. L., Trivedi, M. H., & O’Neal, H. A. (2001). Physical activity dose-response effects on outcomes of depression and anxiety. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(6), S587–S597. Discussion 609–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. National Center for Health Statistics. (2014). Final Natality Data. In: March of Dimes (E.d.), www.marchofdimes.com/peristats. Accessed 15 April 2014.

  38. Evenson, K. R., & Wen, F. (2011). Prevalence and correlates of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior among US pregnant women. Preventive Medicine, 53(1–2), 39–43. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.04.014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Laraia, B., Messer, L., Evenson, K., et al. (2007). Neighborhood factors associated with physical activity and adequacy of weight gain during pregnancy. Journal of Urban Health, 84(6), 793–806. doi:10.1007/s11524-007-9217-z.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Gaston, A., & Cramp, A. (2011). Exercise during pregnancy: A review of patterns and determinants. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 14(4), 299–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research uses data from Add Health, a program project directed by Kathleen Mullan Harris and designed by J. Richard Udry, Peter S. Bearman, and Kathleen Mullan Harris at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and funded by Grant P01-HD31921 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, with cooperative funding from 23 other federal agencies and foundations. Special acknowledgement is due Ronald R. Rindfuss and Barbara Entwisle for assistance in the original design. Information on how to obtain the Add Health data files is available on the Add Health website (http://www.cpc.unc.edu/addhealth). No direct support was received from Grant P01-HD31921 for this analysis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Cheryl A. Vamos, Rita DeBate, Jennifer Bleck, Erika Thompson & Laura Merrell

  2. College of Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Sara Flory & Haichun Sun

Authors
  1. Cheryl A. Vamos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sara Flory
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Haichun Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rita DeBate
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jennifer Bleck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Erika Thompson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Laura Merrell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cheryl A. Vamos.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vamos, C.A., Flory, S., Sun, H. et al. Do Physical Activity Patterns Across the Lifecourse Impact Birth Outcomes?. Matern Child Health J 19, 1775–1782 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1691-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1691-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation