Abstract
Objective
We assessed whether total, recreational, and non-recreational physical activity (PA) assessed twice during pregnancy, and its change, were associated with infant birth weight and small for gestational age (SGA).
Methods
We included 1467 Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition 3 Study participants who self-reported PA at time 1 (T1: 17–22 weeks’ gestation) and time 2 (T2: 27–30 weeks’ gestation). We assessed last week absolute intensities of PA (moderate: 4.7–7.1 METs; and vigorous: > 7.1 METs) and perceived intensities. Change in hours/week of PA was assessed continuously or categorically (increase or decrease ≥ 1 hour, and no change). Associations of continuous PA hours/week at T1, T2, and its change, with sex-specific z-scores of birth weight, were assessed using multivariable linear robust regressions. We used logistic regressions to assess categorical PA measures with SGA. Models were adjusted for adequacy of maternal weight gain, general health, maternal age, parity, race/ethnicity, and smoking.
Results
Hours/week of total and recreational absolute intensities of PA at T1, T2, and its change were generally not associated with birth weight, although two measures of non-recreational PA at T2 and its change were associated with increased birth weight. Perceived intensities of PA (at T1, T2, and its change) were largely not associated with sex-specific z-scores of infant birth weight. Absolute and perceived intensity PA were not associated with SGA.
Conclusions for practice
In this observational cohort, increases and decreases in PA during pregnancy were not associated with differential changes in birthweight or SGA.
Significance
Previous evidence about how physical activity (PA) during pregnancy influences birth weight is conflicting. This may be because experimental studies often require that pregnant individuals change their PA habits, while observational studies may reflect a continuation of pre-pregnancy habits for some participants.
Self-selected changes in PA during pregnancy in relation to infant birth weight outcomes are understudied. Self-selected changes in physical activity during pregnancy are largely not associated with infant birth weight outcomes in this study. Findings from this study can inform PA recommendations for pregnant individuals, and could assure them that maintaining or increasing PA during pregnancy is safe in regards to infant birth size.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Fang Wen for her help with data management. The PIN3 Study is a joint effort of many investigators and staff members whose contributions are gratefully acknowledged.
Funding
Kennedy M. Peter-Marske was supported by a National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Research Service Award (T32-HL007055). Dr. Hesketh was supported by the Wellcome Trust (107337/Z/15/Z). Funding for the PIN3 Study was provided by the following NIH Institutes and Centers: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (#HD37584), National Cancer Institute (#CA109804-01), General Clinical Research Center #RR00046), and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (#DK 061981-02). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies.
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KMPM, KRH, and KRE developed the aims for this manuscript. KMPM conducted the data analysis and conceived of and drafted the manuscript. KRE, KRH, and AHH were involved in the data analysis. All authors (KMPM, KRH, AHH, DAS, CBB, and KRE) reviewed the manuscript critically and approved the final version.
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Peter-Marske, K.M., Hesketh, K.R., Herring, A.H. et al. Association Between Change in Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Infant Birth Weight. Matern Child Health J 27, 659–670 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03604-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03604-9