Physical activity during pregnancy – relation with postpartum depression
General Practice Research Unit (AFE), Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University
Domain for Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Health Services Research Centre, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog
Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Eastern and Southern Norway (R.BUP Oslo)
Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo
General Practice Research Unit (AFE), Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo
Bakgrunn
Physical activity in pregnancy is known to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, improve maternal health and well-being, prevent excessive weight gain, and may prevent preeclampsia. However, a majority fails to meet the physical activity guideline in pregnancy (a minimum of 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) per week). There are few studies about physical activity and postpartum depression and they have inconclusive results. Most studies have used subjective data (questionnaires). In this study we aim to assess the relationship between physical activity in pregnancy and postpartum depression.
Methods
Design: Population-based cohort of healthy pregnant women.
Setting: Child Health Clinics in Groruddalen, Oslo.
Data collection: May 2008–March 2010.
Study sample: 643 women with ethnic origin from 65 countries.
The main exposure variable in this study was physical activity recorded objectively with Sense Wear™ Pro3 Armbands. Depression was rated with The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), which is a screening instrument designed for postpartum depression.
Results
Women who accumulated $ 150 MVPA minutes/week had significantly lower risk (OR = 0.2, 95 percent CI: 0.06–0.90), for postpartum depression compared to those who did not accumulate any minutes/week of MVPA, adjusted for ethnic minority background, depressive symptoms in the index pregnancy and self-reported pelvic girdle syndrome. The results for MVPA persisted in the sub-sample of ethnic minority women.
Conclusions
Pregnant women who meet the physical activity recommendation and are physically active with moderate to vigorous intensity during pregnancy have a lower risk of postpartum depression. Ethnic minorities are less likely to meet these criteria.