Relation between maternal recreational physical activity and plasma lipids in early pregnancy

The authors examined the relation between recreational physical activity and plasma lipid concentrations in early pregnancy. Between 1996 and 2000, 925 normotensive, nondiabetic pregnant women in Washington State were interviewed at approximately 13 weeks' gestation regarding type, frequency, and duration of physical activity during the previous 7 days. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were measured in contemporaneous blood samples. After adjustment, mean triglyceride concentration was 12.7 mg/dl lower in women performing any physical activity versus none (95% confidence interval (CI): -22.7, -2.6). Mean triglyceride concentration was lower in women in the highest tertiles of time performing physical activity (-23.6 mg/dl, 95% CI: -34.9, -12.2), energy expenditure (-23.6 mg/dl, 95% CI: -35.1, -12.2), and peak intensity (-18.1 mg/dl, 95% CI: -29.5, -6.8) versus inactive women. Reductions in mean total cholesterol were also observed for women with the highest levels of time performing physical activity, energy expenditure, and peak intensity. Linear relations were observed across levels of physical activity measures for triglyceride and total cholesterol. No association was found between physical activity and high density lipoprotein cholesterol. These data suggest that habitual physical activity may attenuate pregnancy-associated dyslipidemia.