Physical activity during pregnancy and its association with sociodemographic characteristics: a cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.31e0430Keywords:
Pregnancy, Physical exercise, Public health, Health promotionAbstract
Introduction: Pregnancy is a period of intense physical, emotional, and social changes that require adaptations to ensure maternal and fetal well-being. In this context, physical activity (PA) can contribute to preventing gestational complications and promoting the health of the pregnant woman and her baby. However, adherence to adequate levels of PA during pregnancy remains low. Objective: To evaluate the practice of PA among pregnant women receiving care in the public health network of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, linked to the Maternal and Child Health Cohort of Curitiba, with the participation of 195 pregnant women aged 16 years or older. Sociodemographic, clinical, and PA-related information were collected and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics, using the Chi-square test and Poisson regression with a robust estimator. Results: There was a high prevalence of physical inactivity: 80.5% of pregnant women did not reach 150 minutes of moderate PA per week and 89.2% did not perform vigorous activities for at least 10 continuous minutes. Despite this, 77.4% reported walking for at least 10 minutes per day. Sedentary time predominatly ranged between 4 and 6 hours per day. Consultation with a Physical Education professional was a factor positively associated with greater practice of moderate PA. Conclusion: There is a need to expand access to professional guidance and develop interdisciplinary strategies to promote safe PA during pregnancy, aiming at better maternal and child outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Iris Souza Fagundes, Luana de Paula Ivnuk, Carlos Henrique Pereira, Juliana Schaia Rocha Orsi, Renata Iana Werneck, Ernesto Josué Schmitt, Thabata Cristy Zermiani
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