Physical activity levels in the second trimester of pregnancy and related demographic factors: A cross-sectional secondary data analysis

Abstract Background: Adequate amounts of physical activity during pregnancy have been recognized to have good effects on fetal growth and prevention of pregnancy complications. Aims: This study aimed to examine physical activity levels in the second trimester of pregnancy according to intensity and type of activity, and to identify factors related to physical activity levels. Methods: We utilized the baseline data of the cohort study for our analysis. These data included records of healthy women in the second trimester, undergoing treatment at a university hospital in Tokyo, between 2010 and 2012. Physical activity levels were assessed using a pregnancy physical activity questionnaire. Demographic variables including age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, parity, working status, and education levels were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. The Mann–Whitney U test or Kruskal–Wallis test was performed to investigate differences in physical activity levels according to demographic variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the related factors to total physical activity levels. Results: A total of 461 women were analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) of total physical activity level was 22.2 (9.6) metabolic equivalents·hour/day. In a multiple linear regression analysis, multigravidae (β = 0.510) and working women (β = 0.334) had significantly higher total physical activity levels. Working multigravidae had more than twice as much total physical activity level as non-working primigravidae. Conclusions: Parity and working status strongly influence on physical activity levels in the second trimester among Japanese women. The results would be useful for healthcare professionals to estimate physical activity levels in consideration of demographic characteristics.