Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Sleep Among Postpartum Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Little is known about the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviors among postpartum women. We aimed to assess self-reported changes in physical activity, sitting time, and sleep among postpartum women early in the pandemic.

We conducted an online survey of postpartum women in the United States (n = 809) during May and June of 2020. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine associations between socio-demographic, medical, and COVID-19-related factors (e.g., COVID-related worries and stressors) and self-reported changes in health behaviors.

The prevalence of being less physically active, sitting for longer times, and sleeping less since the pandemic started were 57.4%, 64.9%, and 26.3%, respectively. Medicaid-insured recipients reported more reduced physical activity and longer sitting time than privately insured women. Breastfeeding was associated with higher odds of being less physically active. Worse health status was strongly associated with adverse changes in the three behaviors (All P_trend < 0.05). A higher score on social connection with family members was associated with reduced physical activity and longer sitting time, while those with a higher social connection score with community/neighbors/friends were more physically active. COVID-19-related worries were associated with lower odds of being less physically active but greater likelihood of sitting longer and sleeping less. COVID-19-related stressors were associated with higher odds of sleeping less.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse changes in health behaviors were prevalent among US postpartum women. Intervention programs optimizing multiple health behaviors among postpartum women and high-risk groups are needed during pandemic situations.