Longitudinal Analysis of Patterns and Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Women From Preconception to Postpartum: The Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes Cohort

Abstract

Objective: Longitudinal changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior patterns from preconception to postpartum are not fully characterized. We examined changes and baseline sociodemographic/clinical correlates of PA and sedentary behavior in women from preconception to postpartum. Methods: The Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes cohort recruited 1032 women planning pregnancy. Participants completed questionnaires at preconception, 34 to 36 weeks gestation, and 12 months postpartum. Repeated-measures linear regression models were used to analyze changes in walking, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), screen time, and total sedentary time, and to identify sociodemographic/clinical correlates associated with these changes. Results: Of the 373 women who delivered singleton live births, 281 provided questionnaires for all time points. Walking time increased from preconception to late pregnancy but decreased postpartum (adjusted means [95% CI]: 454 [333–575], 542 [433–651], and 434 [320–547] min/wk, respectively). Vigorous-intensity PA and MVPA decreased from preconception to late pregnancy but increased postpartum (vigorous-intensity PA: 44 [11–76], 1 [−3–5], and 11 [4–19] min/wk, MVPA: 273 [174–372], 165 [95–234], and 226 [126–325] min/wk, respectively). Screen time and total sedentary time remained consistent from preconception to pregnancy but decreased postpartum (screen: 238 [199–277], 244 [211–277], and 162 [136–189] min/d, total: 552 [506–598], 555 [514–596], and 454 [410–498] min/d, respectively). Individual characteristics of ethnicity, body mass index, employment, parity, and self-rated general health significantly influenced women’s activity patterns. Conclusion: During late pregnancy, walking time increased, while MVPA declined significantly, and partially returned to preconception levels postpartum. Sedentary time remained stable during pregnancy but decreased postpartum. The identified set of sociodemographic/clinical correlates underscores need for targeted strategies.