2025: Empowering the Future through Education, Diversity, and Hope

Physical Activity during Pregnancy within Diverse Populations

Location

Hemmingson Ballroom

Start Date

15-4-2025 11:15 AM

End Date

15-4-2025 12:15 AM

Description

Physical activity is important throughout all stages of life, but especially during pregnancy. Physical activity can limit excessive gestational weight gain, reduce the chance of developing gestational diabetes, and increase health and quality of life postpartum. Unfortunately, it is common for individuals to become less active during pregnancy, whether it be due to environmental barriers, personal barriers, or lack of physical activity pre-pregnancy. The purpose of this presentation is to examine which populations perform adequate levels of physical activity during pregnancy and strategies to increase physical activity during pregnancy in populations that do not reach the guidelines for physical activity. Studies show that ethnic minority groups tend to have higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as gestational diabetes mellitus, which can negatively affect the health of the pregnant individual. Furthermore, pregnant people with limited economic resources as well as a lower level of education are less physically active than those that have resources or that have completed high school, college or university. Black women have lower rates of physical activity during pregnancy compared to white women. Moreover, Hispanic and Asian women participate in less physical activity during pregnancy when compared to black women. Strategies to improve physical activity during pregnancy requires more information regarding health benefits of exercise during pregnancy, specifically for those populations who historically have lower levels of physical activity both before and during pregnancy. Furthermore, low-cost exercise classes for pregnant populations could assist with helping to increase physical activity during pregnancy. Exercising in groups can assist with retention and creating a community of like minded individuals striving for a healthier pregnancy.

Comments

Poster Session A

Publication Date

2025

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Apr 15th, 11:15 AM Apr 15th, 12:15 AM

Physical Activity during Pregnancy within Diverse Populations

Hemmingson Ballroom

Physical activity is important throughout all stages of life, but especially during pregnancy. Physical activity can limit excessive gestational weight gain, reduce the chance of developing gestational diabetes, and increase health and quality of life postpartum. Unfortunately, it is common for individuals to become less active during pregnancy, whether it be due to environmental barriers, personal barriers, or lack of physical activity pre-pregnancy. The purpose of this presentation is to examine which populations perform adequate levels of physical activity during pregnancy and strategies to increase physical activity during pregnancy in populations that do not reach the guidelines for physical activity. Studies show that ethnic minority groups tend to have higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as gestational diabetes mellitus, which can negatively affect the health of the pregnant individual. Furthermore, pregnant people with limited economic resources as well as a lower level of education are less physically active than those that have resources or that have completed high school, college or university. Black women have lower rates of physical activity during pregnancy compared to white women. Moreover, Hispanic and Asian women participate in less physical activity during pregnancy when compared to black women. Strategies to improve physical activity during pregnancy requires more information regarding health benefits of exercise during pregnancy, specifically for those populations who historically have lower levels of physical activity both before and during pregnancy. Furthermore, low-cost exercise classes for pregnant populations could assist with helping to increase physical activity during pregnancy. Exercising in groups can assist with retention and creating a community of like minded individuals striving for a healthier pregnancy.