Options in Pregnancy to Increase ActiveLy Sitting (OPALS) Feasibility Study

Caterina Fazzi gómez, Fiona C Denison, David H Saunders, Jane Elizabeth Norman, Rebecca M Reynolds

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Background. A negative association between obesity and pregnancy outcomes has beendescribed, as well as between time sedentary and pregnancy outcomes. Most interventions basedon physical activity involving obese pregnant women have failed in improving pregnancy out-comes. Exchanging time spent in sedentary activities with time spent in light-intensity activities,performed in a home-based setting, might help morbidly obese pregnant women. We aimed to assessthe feasibility of an exercise intervention. Methods. An exercise intervention for morbidly obesepregnant women was designed involving morbidly obese pregnant women. Pregnant women withBMI≥40 kg/m2with 20 or less weeks of gestation were invited to take part in the OPALS FeasibilityStudy. A home-based approach was employed. Participants were asked to perform the interventionfor at least 12 weeks, and to register their performance in an activity diary. After the intervention,participants were asked to return the activity diary and answer a feasibility questionnaire. Results.In the intervention, 28 participants took part. Six women completed the intervention for 12 weeks ormore. All declared they intended to keep on doing the intervention. All women reported that theexercises made them feel better. Conclusion. Empowering, and involving morbidly obese pregnantwomen in taking care of themselves and giving them realistic tasks to do on their own and aroundtheir environment helps to increase commitment, as does avoiding the effect of their own weightwhilst exercising. A 20% of compliance was observed in this study, which might be explained by thedifficulties that pregnancy and excess weight mean. Thus, for future studies, we suggest adding asupervision plan to increase that number.
Original languageEnglish
Article number5673
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume18
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 May 2021

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • exercise
  • obesity
  • pregnancy
  • sedentary behaviour

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