1. Jessica Dubbioso, Nicole Perin
Associations Among Physical Activity and Pregnancy Health Complications
in Low-Income Women
Jessica Dubbioso, Nicole Perin
Advisor: Alicja Stannard* Sacred Heart University, Fairfield Connecticut
Population differences
low medicaid percentage- grad/PHD students, someone more aware of research, affiliated with research
Abstract
Pregnant women may experience health complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth. Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is associated with positive health outcomes such as reduced risk of pregnancy complications. In low-income women, leisure-physical activity (LTPA) is low but household (HPA) and job PA (JPA) is understudied. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in LTPA, JPA, HPA, and Total PA among healthy low-income pregnant women and those with pregnancy related health problems. Methods: Low-income pregnant and postpartum women were recruited nationwide using an online platform. Participants (n=119) reported demographic and health information. They recalled pregnancy PA by completing the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a validated instrument estimating LTPA, HPA, JPA, transportation PA, and Total PA in MET hr/wk. Women reporting hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or bedrest were classified as pregnancy ailments. Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables. Median split was used to categorize PA variables and chi-square analysis was performed. Results: Participants’ median age was 29.5 years (±5.6), 26.9% reported at least one health problem, and 49.2% were on Medicaid. PA recommendations of 8.25 MET hrs/wk were met by 44.8% of healthy women and 40.6% of pregnancy ailments. No differences between the groups were found for LTPA, HPA, JPA, transportation PA, and Total PA. Conclusion: Health status appears not to influence pregnancy related PA levels in this sample. However, more research is needed to understand the PA patterns within low-income pregnant women.
Methods
Design: Cross-sectional study
Participants:
Low-income pregnant and <1 year postpartum (n=119)
Procedure:
Women recruited nationally using an online ResearchMatch platform
Completed online surveys on demographic, health status, and validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
LTPA, HPA, JPA, TPA, and Total PA were scored using established protocol
Health status categorized as “Health Problems” if preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension or bedrest reported. Otherwise, classified as healthy.
Meeting PA recommendation was categorized as ≥ 8.25 MET hrs/wk
Median split used to categorize other PA variables into high and low. was organized into a “Healthy” (meet 8.25 MET/hour/week)
Analysis:
IBM SPSS 24.0 software
Descriptive statistics were performed. Chi Square analysis was done for types of PA in healthy and unhealthy women. Median split was used.
Conclusions
Health status was not associated with PA level contrary to our hypothesis.
Online platform used to connect researchers and population this attracts women that are familiar with research studies.
The amount of times/week the mothers engage in the exercise and the maximal intensity of the exercise is inversely related to the risk of preeclampsia. 3
Participants were all normotensive, Economic status varied
Exercise improves the mother's pain tolerance through the pregnancy/delivery, lowers the total weight/fat gain. This helped improve the mother’s self image. Participants were pregnant, non-pregnant, and postpartum women. 1
A study was done with women who were African American above the age of 18 (n=922). 12.2% infants born with low birth weight, 13.7% preterm. PA consisted of: 39.5% not active, 56.1% non strenuous , 2.1% strenuous, 6% both. 5
Health status appears not to influence pregnancy related PA levels in this sample. However, more research is needed to understand the PA patterns within low-income pregnant women.
Introduction
Pregnant women may experience health complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth.
Physical activity (PA) can reduce the risk of pregnancy related issues such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. 1
Women with gestational diabetes have a 35-50% chance of recurrence in a later pregnancy and there is a 40-60% chance that the mother would develop type 2 diabetes within the next 10 years2
Development of preeclampsia can be reduced by 34% with recreational physical activity within the first twenty weeks 3
American Congress of Obstetrician Gynecologists and United States Department of Health and Human Services (ACOG/DHHS):recommends at least 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity activity. 4
PA can categorized as leisure-time (LTPA), household (HPA), job (JPA) transportation physical activity (TPA) and total physical activity (Total PA).
Results
Median age: 29.5 years (±5.6)
No significant differences found between PA levels and healthy status.
Women with at least one child had significantly less health problems compare to women with no children.
References
1. Gaston A, Cramp A. Exercise during pregnancy: a review of patterns and determinants. J Sci Med Sport. 2011;14(4): doi: /j.jsams
2. Symons Downs D, Ulbrecht JS. Understanding exercise beliefs and behaviors in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2006;29(2):
3. Sorensen TK, Williams MA, Lee I-M, Dashow EE, Thompson ML, Luthy DA. Recreational physical activity during pregnancy and risk of preeclampsia. Hypertens Dallas Tex ;41(6): doi: /01.HYP
4. Physical Activity During Pregnancy for Improved Outcomes. Medscape. Accessed April 17, 2017.
5. Orr ST, James SA, Garry J, Prince CB, Newton ER. Exercise and pregnancy outcome among urban, low-income, black women. Ethn Dis. 2006;16(4):
Table 1: Related Demographics of Participants
Figure 1: Median of hours of  Physical Activity per week separated by different types of PA
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in LTPA, JPA, HPA, and Total PA among healthy low-income pregnant women and those with pregnancy related health problems.
It was hypothesized that a specific type of PA is linked to the reduced risk of complications during pregnancy.
*This is a sub-sample of a larger study conducted by Michigan State University, which involved: ​
   Stannard, AB, Mudd, LM, Pivarnik, JP, Weatherspoon, L, & Kerver, J. ​