Physical activity and risk of small-for-gestational-age birth among predominantly Puerto Rican women

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth is a significant concern in maternal and child health.
• Understanding modifiable risk factors like physical activity is crucial for prevention strategies.
• Previous research on physical activity and SGA has limited data on diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between different domains of physical activity during pregnancy and the risk of SGA birth.
• To examine these associations within a prospective cohort of Hispanic women.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 1,040 pregnant women (Latina Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Study).
• Physical activity assessed in early and mid-pregnancy across domains: sports/exercise, household, occupational, and active living.
• SGA defined as birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age.

Main Results:

• High total physical activity in mid-pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of SGA (RR = 0.42).
• High household activity and active living also showed a trend towards decreased SGA risk.
• High levels of sports/exercise activity were unexpectedly associated with an increased risk of SGA (RR = 2.14).

Conclusions:

• Mid-pregnancy physical activity, particularly household and active living, may be protective against SGA birth in Hispanic populations.
• High-intensity sports/exercise during pregnancy warrants further investigation regarding potential adverse effects on fetal growth.
• Findings contribute to evidence on physical activity's role in pregnancy outcomes for minority groups.