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Association of prepregnancy physical activity with obesity in offspring: The Japan Environment and Children's Study

Masahiro Noda1, Satomi Yoshida1, Chihiro Kawakami2

  • 1Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|August 5, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Maternal physical activity before pregnancy did not significantly impact child overweight or obesity at age three. This study found no association between a mother's prepregnancy exercise levels and her child's weight status.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns.
  • Maternal lifestyle factors during pregnancy may influence offspring's long-term health.
  • Understanding the role of prepregnancy physical activity is crucial for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between maternal prepregnancy physical activity (PA) levels and the risk of overweight/obesity in 3-year-old children.
  • To identify potential correlations that could inform public health interventions.
  • To contribute to the understanding of early life determinants of child weight status.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a large birth cohort.
  • Maternal prepregnancy physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and categorized.
  • Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations.

Main Results:

  • A large cohort of 65,245 participants was analyzed.
  • No statistically significant association was found between maternal prepregnancy physical activity levels (low, moderate, high) and child overweight/obesity or obesity at age three.
  • Adjusted odds ratios for overweight/obesity and obesity showed no significant increase across different maternal PA groups.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal prepregnancy physical activity levels were not found to be associated with overweight/obesity or obesity in their 3-year-old children.
  • These findings suggest that prepregnancy exercise, as measured, may not be a primary determinant of early childhood weight status.
  • Further research may explore other maternal or environmental factors influencing child weight.
Abstract

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