Physical activity and sleep patterns in women 1 year after gestational diabetes: Results from the Face-it study

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and adequate, high-quality sleep are important for cardiometabolic health in women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) but are likely reduced during early motherhood. These behaviours may be associated; however, device-measured sleep data and studies of these associations remain scarce in this population. This cross sectional study characterised MVPA and sleep patterns and examined their associations in women with recent GDM.

In the Face-it trial, 185 women provided device-measured MVPA and sleep data 1 year after delivery. Sleep variables included duration and efficiency, reflecting sleep quantity and quality. Duration was categorised as <6, 6-8 (reference) and >8 h/night. Associations with MVPA were analysed using linear mixed-effects models with site as a random intercept, adjusted for potential confounders.

Two-thirds (61.6%) met WHO recommendations for moderate-intensity physical activity (PA), whereas few (3.2%) met recommendations for vigorous-intensity PA. Most met recommendations for sleep duration (87.6%) and sleep efficiency (83.8%). Compared to 6-8 h/night, there was no difference in MVPA among those sleeping <6 h/night (β = -2.5, 95% CI = -11.8, 6.7, p = 0.593). Durations >8 h/night were associated with less MVPA (β = -13.5, 95% CI = -23.0, -4.0, p = 0.006). Sleep efficiency was positively associated with MVPA (β = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.1, 1.1, p = 0.018).

The association between high-quality sleep and greater MVPA suggests that PA and sleep may not only independently be relevant to cardiometabolic health but may also be associated in women with recent GDM.