Open AccessLeisure time physical activity during pregnancy and impact on gestational diabetes mellitus, pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery and birth weight: a review
Author(s) -
HEGAARD HANNE K.,
PEDERSEN BENTE K.,
BRUUN NIELSEN BIRGITTE,
DAMM PETER
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1080/00016340701647341
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , gestational diabetes , eclampsia , obstetrics , diabetes mellitus , birth weight , physical activity , low birth weight , gestation , obesity , physical therapy , endocrinology , genetics , biology
Background. It has been questioned whether leisure time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy is beneficial or deleterious to pregnancy outcome, and whether a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy has a negative impact on pregnancy. Answers to these questions are of general interest, since some young women are very physically active during leisure time, while others have a sedentary lifestyle. Method. In this review, we analysed the association between LTPA and the selected pregnancy outcomes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery, and birth weight. Results. The prevailing literature clearly indicates that LTPA before and/or during pregnancy has a protective effect on the development of GDM and pre‐eclampsia. Furthermore, LTPA does not seem to have a negative impact on the rate of preterm delivery or on birth weight. Conclusion. Thus, it seems relevant that health authorities recommend 30 min of daily physical activity to healthy pregnant women.