Dietary intake, weight gain, and birth outcomes of physically active pregnant women: a pilot study

Abstract

Pregnant women have increased energy and nutrient needs. Exercise also increases energy and glucose demands. This pilot study examined whether women who were physically active during pregnancy met their dietary needs, gained weight adequately, avoided hypoglycemia, and had normal birth outcomes. Based on a convenience sample, 11 active women were studied from 18 weeks gestation to delivery. They exercised for 40 min at 70% VO2 peak, 3-4 times per week. Weekly measures included capillary blood glucose concentrations, body mass, and food records. Birth outcome measures included baby mass, length, and activity, pulse, grimace, appearance, and respiration (APGAR) scores. Our findings suggest that these subjects had lower average energy intake (8680 +/- 490 kJ/d) than recommended for the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (13,020 +/-185 kJ/d; 13,480 +/- 185 kJ/d, respectively, p < 0.0001). Protein requirements for pregnancy were exceeded. Average intakes of iron (19 +/- 2 mg/d) and folate (356 +/- 33 microg/d) were lower than Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) (27 mg/d and 600 microg/d, respectively) and milk products consumed were less than the recommended daily servings. Four women gained less weight per week than recommended for pregnancy. No hypoglycemia occurred post-exercise. Birth outcome measures were within normal ranges. Comparative studies with a larger number of subjects are required to determine if active pregnant women have adequate nutrient intakes and weight gain.

Mismatched pre- and postnatal nutrition leads to cardiovascular dysfunction and altered renal function in adulthood

“…This reduction in weight gain is comparable to that in normal human pregnancies in which there is a mild reduction in calorific intake, rather than that of severe starvation as in the Dutch Hunger Winter (17). Such a reduction in weight gain during pregnancy is also seen in adolescent pregnancies (18) and when high physical activity is carried out while pregnant (19). The nutritional challenge had no effect on their offspring in terms of birth weight (3.89 Ϯ 0.17 vs. 3.62 Ϯ 0.18 kg) or biometry (data not shown), but U lambs showed greater preweaning growth than C lambs and were heavier at 12 weeks (Fig.…”

Pregnancy Nutritional Indices and Birth Weight After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

“…For physically active pregnant women, also outside the bariatric context, about 3,100-3,200 kcal/day is the benchmark of Giroux et al [19].…”

Nutrition and Exercise Prevent Excess Weight Gain in Overweight Pregnant Women

“…A baseline assessment of each woman's usual food intake occurred at 16-20 wk of gestation before the start of the program. A consecutive 3-d food intake record, which included one weekend day, was collected (15). The food records were analyzed for nutritional content and caloric intake using the ESHA Food Processor SQL (version 9.8; Canadian Nutrient File database).…”