Association between physical activity and the risk of prenatal depression in adolescents in Teresina, 2023-2024: cross-sectional study.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between physical activity and the risk of prenatal depression in adolescents from Teresina, Piauí, 2023-2024.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with pregnant females aged 10-19 years. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Pregnant Females were used. Multiple logistic regression was used, with calculation of adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results: 182 adolescents were interviewed. The prevalence of prenatal depression risk was 31.3% and sedentary lifestyle was 85.7%. Being sedentary while commuting increased the chance of depression (adjusted OR 2.40; 95%CI 1.01; 5.68; p-value 0.046), while practicing physical exercise (adjusted OR 0.22; 95%CI 0.05; 0.94; p-value 0.041) and having light energy expenditure in daily household chores (adjusted OR 0.26; 95%CI 0.07; 0.98; p-value 0.047) decreased the risk of depression.

Conclusion: The prevalence of prenatal depression and sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy was high. Exercising and being active in household chores reduced the risk of prenatal depression among pregnant adolescents.