Associations Between Domains and Patterns of Sedentary Behavior with Sleep Quality and Duration in Pregnant Women

Objectives: To assess the associations of sedentary behavior (SB) with sleep quality and duration in pregnant women by trimesters and to consider SB domains and patterns. Methods: This investigation included 935 participants (age = 30.0 ± 5.6 years; first trimester = 24.1%, second trimester = 33.9%, third trimester = 42.0%). The total, domains (leisure, occupational, commuting), and patterns (weekdays, weekends) of SB, as well as sleep quality and duration, were self-reported. Adjusted logistic regression models examined the associations of different SBs with the risk of poor sleep quality, not adhering to sleep duration guidelines (7-9 h/day), or being a short- or long-sleeper. Results: The odds of poor sleep quality were significantly higher by 14.2% and 7.4% for each hour increase in total and leisure SB on weekends, respectively. The odds of not adhering to sleep duration guidelines were significantly higher by 5.5% and 11.4% for each hour increase in total and leisure SB during weekdays, respectively; paradoxically, the odds of not complying with the sleep duration guidelines were significantly lower, ranging between 6.6% and 34.4% for each hour increase in total, leisure, or commuting SB on weekends. Further, when analyzed separately, the likelihood of being a short- or long-sleeper was highly variable across SB domains, with associations being more apparent in the first and third trimesters. Conclusions: The relationship between SB and healthy sleep during pregnancy was complex. These variable findings underscore the importance of considering domains and patterns of SB beyond simple total durations in future research to inform interventions and guidelines to improve sleep health during pregnancy.