Metabolic Expenditure in Pregnant Women Enrolled in a Randomized Study of Walking
Loading...
Date
2014-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs in 5-8% of pregnancies. What begins as elevated
blood pressure and proteinuria can threaten the lives of both mother and fetus in the absence of
treatment. Although the specific cause of preeclampsia is unknown, maternal risk factors for
developing the condition include obesity, preexisting high blood pressure, diabetes, and
endothelial dysfunction, among others (Preeclampsia Foundation, 2013). Interventions that
decrease the incidence of preeclampsia and remain appropriate for the physiologic changes in
pregnancy and the well-being of the fetus are needed. The purpose of this study was to assess the
self-reported physical activity of pregnant women who enrolled in a randomized trial of a
walking intervention. Women (n=123) who were enrolled in the study entitled “Exercise
Intervention to Reduce Recurrent Preeclampsia” (R01 NR05375) had a history of preeclampsia,
were sedentary, and were motivated to enter an intervention to reduce the likelihood of the
recurrence of preeclampsia. Informed consent was administered and the participating women
were randomized, resulting in 61 women in the attention control group and 62 women in the
walking intervention group. Participants were 28.6 ± 5.25 (mean ± SD) years of age and were
enrolled in the study at an average gestational age of 15.96 ± 3.02 weeks. The racial distribution
of the sample was 19.5% African-American and 79.7% Caucasian. Participants completed the
Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire at three time points during their pregnancy to
assess activity. Data were calculated as metabolic equivalents (METs), an expression of energy
expenditure. Although both study groups has similar METs per 24 hours at each measurement,
participants in the walking intervention did reduce light activity and increase higher levels of
activity as compared to women in the attention control group.
Description
Keywords
Paffenbarger, Metabolic Equivalents, Exercise, Pregnancy, Preeclampsia