Table 1- Descriptive Characteristics SLEEP QUALITY, BUT NOT QUANTITY, IS ASSOSICATED WITH REDUCED ABDOMINAL FAT ACCUMULATION DURING PREGNANCY Hannah Delia1, JaBreia James1, Janeen S. Amason, PhD., RN2, Katherine H. Ingram, PhD. 1 (faculty mentor) Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management1 and WellStar School of Nursing2, Kennesaw State University INTRODUCTION RESULTS RESULTS Figure 1- Relationships Between Abdominal Fat and Sleep-Related Variables Table 2- Spearman’s Correlation Analyses Results Sleep is usually distributed during pregnancy by the fluctuation of hormones and the constantly changing body caused by the fetus1. Obesity during pregnancy causes complications for the mother, as well as, the baby. Gestational diabetes, sleep apnea, preeclampsia, preterm birth and birth defects are a few of the complications that obesity may cause2. ρ=0.781 p=0.001 ρ=0.733 p=0.003 OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between sleep disturbance, sleep quality or sleep quantity and the accumulation of abdominal fat during pregnancy. ρ=0.560 p=0.046 ρ=0.185 p=0.527 METHODS Twenty-five pregnant women were recruited from a local OB/GYN office during their first pregnancy. Participants visited the KSU exercise physiology laboratory to obtain body composition measurements between 17 and 21 weeks gestation. Overall sleep disturbance, quality, and quantity were assessed through a sleep disturbance survey. Six subjects were excluded from the analysis for failed validity. Ultrasound was used to measure abdominal fat in four locations: intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT 1), located 1 cm above the umbilicus, and preperitoneal adipose tissue (PAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT 2), located immediately below the xiphoid process of the sternum. Percent body fat was determined using the InBody720 Bioimpedance analyzer. Spearman’s Correlation analyses were used to assess relationships. *IAAT, intra-abdominal adipose tissue; SAT1, subcutaneous adipose tissue 1; PAT, preperitoneal adipose tissue; and SAT2, subcutaneous tissue 2 *Sleep disturbance, sleep quality and sleep quantity are scales; the higher the number the worse the disturbance, quality and quantity CONCLUSIONS There is a positive relationship between sleep disturbance and the accumulation of abdominal fat (IAAT) independent of the influence of overall adiposity. These results indicate that sleep disturbance is strongly associated with abdominal fat accumulation, whether or not the person is obese. Figure 2-Ultrasound Assessment Depictions of anatomical locations of abdominal fat (Vlachos, et al., 2007) FUNDING: This project is funded by internal research grants by the KSU Office of the Vice President for Research and Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). Table 1- Descriptive Characteristics References: 1.Pires, G., Andersen, M., Giovenardi, M., Tufik, S. (2010). Sleep impairment during pregnancy: Possible implications on mother–infant relationship. Medical Hypotheses, 578-582. 2. Baeten, J.M., Bukusi, E.A., Lambe, M. (2001). Pregnancy complications and outcomes among overweight and obese nulliparous women. Am J Public Health. 436-440. 3.Vlachos, I., Hatziioannou, A., Perelas, A., & Perrea, D. (2007). Sonographic Assessment of Regional Adiposity. American Journal of Radiology, 1545-1553.