Physical activity among Chinese pregnant women in the first trimester: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

Physical activity during pregnancy benefits both women and their fetuses; however, the prevalence of physical inactivity is high among pregnant women in the first trimester. This study aimed to examine physical activity patterns among pregnant Chinese women in the first trimester and clarify the characteristics associated with physical inactivity in the first trimester.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at three Class-A tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou, city, China, from December 2021 to June 2022. A total of 1,283 pregnant women were enrolled. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire and a sociodemographic and obstetric data sheet collected information in the first trimester.

RESULTS

The prevalence of physical inactivity among Chinese pregnant women was 51 %. Pregnant women spent the most time in the domains of household/caregiving activities (median 38.25 h/week) and sedentary activities (median 54.25 h/week). Characteristics of pregnant women who were more likely to be physically inactive included younger age (: 1.413, 95 %: 1.291, 1.767; = 0.002), unmarried (: 2.976, 95 %: 1.573, 5.630; = 0.001), lower monthly income (: 1.945, 95 %: 1.535, 2.464; = 0.001), self-paid medical care (: 1.472, 95 %: 1.140, 1.900; = 0.003), nulliparous (: 3.169, 95 %: 2.504, 4.009; = 0.001), inadequate knowledge about physical activity during pregnancy (: 1.797, 95 %: 1.432, 2.255; = 0.001), husbands with no physical activity habits (:1.353, 95 %: 1.081, 1.693; = 0.008), and no prepregnancy physical activity habits (: 1.832, 95 %: 1.433, 2.340; = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical inactivity was prevalent among pregnant women in the first trimester. Promoting physical activity could be incorporated into routine antenatal care. Healthcare professionals should assess and monitor the physical activity of pregnant women and provide consultations on physical activity during their first trimester, particularly for pregnant women with characteristics associated with physical inactivity.