The effect of prenatal maternal physical activity and lifestyle in perinatal outcome: results from a Greek study

The association of physical activity during pregnancy with birthweight extremes: A scoping review

OBJECTIVES

Birthweight (BW) indicates newborn health and is a risk factor for development of chronic diseases later in life. The aim was to investigate whether or not prenatal physical activity (PA) influences BW extremes and how PA influences BW extremes in those diagnosed with pregnancy-related diseases.

DESIGN

We performed a scoping review.

METHODS

Searches were completed on five databases and studies identified were uploaded to Covidence.

RESULTS

Across the five databases 3114 studies were identified and after screening, 69 of these studies were used for the final review. Of the 61 studies that considered low BW (LBW)/small for gestational age (SGA) infants, the majority of results (69 %) indicated that PA during pregnancy had no significant impact on LBW or SGA infants. In addition, 11 % of studies reported a significant decrease in the prevalence of LBW infants, however two studies (3 %) reported a significant increase in LBW or SGA infants, likely relating to individuals with high body mass index and poor adherence to PA. Of the 41 studies that did report LGA/macrosomia, 34 % reported that PA significantly reduced the prevalence of higher BW infants. One study reported the association between meeting exercise recommendations and reducing the odds of LGA infants in those with pregnancy-related diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide evidence on the association of prenatal PA with BW extremes. It is suggested that prenatal PA does not increase the risk of delivering LBW/SGA infants and may reduce the prevalence of large BW infants. Further research is needed to confirm these relationships and explain their underlying mechanisms.

Striking rise of cesarean section rates in Türkiye: there is a need for a whole new perspective

Since 2003, the Turkish Ministry of Health (TMOH) has activated a reformed system called Health Transformation Program (HTP) which has assertive goals. Health transformation program has brought about important improvements in many health topics. However, at the beginning of HTP, cesarean section (C-section) rate was approximately 30%, having exceeded 50% in 2013 which reflected the highest rate in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Currently, most of the deliveries are carried out via C-section in Türkiye which started disputes about whether the high rate of C-section is Achilles' heel of HTP. To overcome high C-section rate, TMOH has been making intensive efforts and taking serious measures in recent years including passing a law to ban elective C-sections. Despite the strict measures taken C-section rate didn't decrease instead increased gradually. The current situation shows that the problem is more complicated than the authorities figure out, and a whole new perspective on the issue is needed.

Association of Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Overweight and Obesity with Childhood Anthropometric Factors and Perinatal and Postnatal Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity in reproductive-aged women becomes a growing tendency in middle- and high-income populations. This study aimed to evaluate whether maternal excess body mass index (BMI) before gestation is associated with children's anthropometric characteristics, as well as perinatal and postnatal outcomes.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study performed on 5198 children aged 2-5 years old and their paired mothers, assigned from 9 different areas of Greece. Maternal and childhood anthropometric data, as well as perinatal and postnatal outcomes, were collected from medical history records or validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

Prevalences of 24.4% and 30.6% of overweight/obesity were recorded for the enrolled children and their mothers 2-5 years postpartum. Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity was more frequently observed in older mothers and female children, and was also associated with high childbirth weight, preterm birth, high newborn ponderal index, caesarean section delivery, diabetes type 1, and childhood overweight/obesity at pre-school age. In multivariate analysis, maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity was independently associated with a higher risk of childhood overweight/obesity at pre-school age, as well as with a higher increased incidence of childbirth weight, caesarean section delivery, and diabetes type 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal overweight/obesity rates before gestation were related with increased childhood weight status at birth and 2-5 years postpartum, highlighting the necessity of encouraging healthy lifestyle promotion, including healthier nutritional habits, and focusing on obesity population policies and nutritional interventions among women of reproductive age.

Pre-Pregnancy Excess Weight Association with Maternal Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors and Maternal Perinatal Outcomes

Background: Pre-pregnancy excess weight is an important factor for adverse maternal perinatal outcomes; however, data for Greek women remain limited. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the relation between pre-pregnant weight status and sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle factors and maternal perinatal outcomes. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 5133 healthy women were enrolled from nine different Greek regions after applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Validated questionnaires were used to assess the sociodemographic characteristics and certain lifestyle factors of the study population. Anthropometric and clinical data were retrieved from medical history files of the women, including measured weight in the first weeks of pregnancy and right before delivery, and maternal perinatal outcomes. Women's weights and heights were also measured 2–5 years postpartum by trained nutritionists. Non-adjusted and adjusted statistical analysis was performed to assess whether pre-pregnancy weight status was associated with sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle factors and maternal perinatal outcomes. Results: In pre-pregnancy, 17.5% of the women were overweight, and 4.9% were classified as obese. These rates were increased 2–5 years postpartum, reaching 21.0% for overweight and 9.6% for obese women. Pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity were associated with older maternal age, higher prevalence of overweight/obesity at 2–5 years postpartum and nonexclusive breastfeeding, as well as increased rates for preterm birth and pregnancy-induced hypertension after multiple adjustments. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity rates were high among women of childbearing age in Greece. These findings highlight the urgent need for healthy lifestyle promotion and targeted obesity prevention and intervention schemes among women of reproductive age.

Maternal Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet during Pregnancy: A Review of Commonly Used a priori Indexes

Currently, many a priori indexes are being used to assess maternal adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy but each with different components, cut-off points, and scoring systems. This narrative review aimed to identify all observational studies utilizing a priori indexes to assess maternal adherence to the MD during pregnancy. A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed until 1 July 2020. Among the 27 studies included, eight different a priori indexes were identified. Studies included a range of 5 to 13 dietary components in their indexes. Only three dietary components-vegetables, fruits, and fish-were common among all indexes. Dairy and alcohol were the only two components modified for pregnancy. All but one study either excluded alcohol from their index or reversed its scoring to contribute to decreased adherence to the MD. Approximately half of the studies established cut-off points based on the distribution of the study population; the others utilized fixed criteria. This review emphasizes the incongruent definitions of the MD impairing effective comparison among studies relating to maternal or offspring health outcomes. Future research should carefully consider the heterogeneous definitions of the MD in a priori indexes and the relevance of incorporating pregnancy-specific nutritional requirements.