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Physical Activity and Its Relationship with Preterm Birth in the Presence of Depressive Symptomology

Devon Sneed1, Purni M Abeysekara2, Jaime C Slaughter-Acey3

  • 1Office of Health Science, Georgia Department of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
|March 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Physical activity during pregnancy, including leisure and non-leisure types, is linked to reduced preterm birth (PTB) risk. This benefit may be more pronounced for Black women with severe depressive symptoms (DS).

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Perinatal Epidemiology
  • Maternal Mental Health

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PTB) is a significant public health concern, particularly among Black women.
  • Depressive symptoms (DS) during pregnancy can negatively impact maternal and infant outcomes.
  • The interplay between physical activity (PA) and PTB, especially considering DS, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between various types of physical activity (PA) and the risk of preterm birth (PTB).
  • To examine whether depressive symptoms (DS) modify the relationship between PA and PTB in pregnant Black women.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Life-course Influences of Fetal Environments (LIFE) Study, a cohort of 1410 Black women.
  • Assessed PA through traditional leisure-time PA (LTPA) and non-LTPA (e.g., walking, stair climbing).
  • Measured DS using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and analyzed PTB associations using modified Poisson regression, with stratification for severe DS.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 16% of women experienced PTB, and 20% reported severe DS (CES-D > 23).
  • Engaging in any form of PA (walking for a purpose, LTPA, or stair climbing) was associated with a lower likelihood of PTB compared to no PA.
  • The association between LTPA and reduced PTB risk was more significant in women with severe DS, while non-LTPA showed a more varied relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Both traditional leisure-time PA and non-leisure-time PA during pregnancy are associated with improved birth outcomes, specifically reduced PTB.
  • Leisure-time PA appears to offer a protective effect against PTB, potentially buffering the risk among pregnant Black women experiencing severe DS.
  • These findings highlight the importance of promoting physical activity for pregnant Black women, especially those with depressive symptoms, to improve perinatal health.
Abstract

Keywords:
African AmericanDepressive symptomsPhysical activityPreterm birth

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