Zhang Wenyi, Mu Qiuqiu, Chen Peijun, He Yinyin, Zhou Yexinyi, Fang Jiawei, Tang Chenjun, Guo Jing, Du Wenjun, Lin Lin, Chen Guangdi
Department of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.
Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Aug 19;25(1):2849. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-24181-2.
Although studies have shown that physical activity may have protective effects against depression during pregnancy, evidence on the role of objectively measured physical activity remains limited. This study aimed to explore the associations between daily step counts in the second trimester and depressive symptoms at different stages of pregnancy.
Based on 828 pregnant women from the Ruian Birth Cohort Study, daily step counts were averaged over a week from WeChat records in the second trimester. Linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations of daily step counts in the second trimester with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores and clinically significant depressive symptoms (EPDS scores ≥ 10) in the second and third trimesters, respectively.
The 828 pregnant women took an average of 3,840 (± 2,170) steps each day in the second trimester. Higher daily step counts were associated with lower EPDS scores in both the second (a unit of 1000 steps; : -0.16, 95% CI: -0.30 to -0.03) and third trimesters (: -0.25, 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.10). Additionally, higher step counts correlated with lower odds of clinically significant depressive symptoms in the third trimester (OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79 to 0.96). The benefits were consistent across weekends and workdays.
Distinct patterns of association between second-trimester daily step counts and depressive symptoms in the second and third trimesters highlight the potential mental health benefits of maintaining higher daily step counts. The accessibility and high user engagement make daily step counts as a particularly practical tool for monitoring physical activity during pregnancy.
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-24181-2.
尽管研究表明，孕期进行体育活动可能对预防抑郁症有保护作用，但关于客观测量的体育活动的作用的证据仍然有限。本研究旨在探讨孕中期每日步数与孕期不同阶段抑郁症状之间的关联。
基于瑞安出生队列研究中的828名孕妇，通过微信记录计算孕中期一周内的平均每日步数。分别使用线性回归模型和逻辑回归模型评估孕中期每日步数与孕中期和孕晚期爱丁堡产后抑郁量表（EPDS）评分及临床显著抑郁症状（EPDS评分≥10）之间的关联。
828名孕妇在孕中期平均每天走3840（±2170）步。每日步数较多与孕中期（每增加1000步：β=-0.16，95%CI：-0.30至-0.03）和孕晚期（β=-0.25，95%CI：-0.40至-0.10）较低的EPDS评分相关。此外，步数较多与孕晚期临床显著抑郁症状的较低发生率相关（OR=0.88，95%CI：0.79至0.96）。周末和工作日的结果一致。
孕中期每日步数与孕中期和孕晚期抑郁症状之间的不同关联模式凸显了保持较高每日步数对心理健康的潜在益处。其易获取性和高用户参与度使每日步数成为孕期监测体育活动的特别实用的工具。
在线版本包含可在10.1186/s12889-025-24181-2获取的补充材料。
