Physical Activity Level in Low Income Adolescent Pregnant Women in The 2Nd and 3Rd Trimesters of Pregnancy

PURPOSE: to compare the physical activity level in adolescent pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: 67 low income adolescent pregnant women aged 13 to 21 years-old (17.36±1.86) were evaluated: 32 in the second gestational trimester (20.33±3.53 wk) and 35 in the third trimester (31.22±3.88 wk). Physical activity level was determined by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), last week, version 8, short form, by interview. Questions included information about frequency and duration of moderate and vigorous physical activity (PA), and walking. Sample was classified as follows: very active, active, irregularly active, and sedentary. The statistical analysis used was Mann Whitney test (p<.05). RESULTS: 73.1% of the sample was classified as sufficiently active (active + very active), and 26.9% were insufficiently active (irregularly and sedentary). The table shows values of frequency (days/wk) and duration (minutes/day) of walking, moderate and vigorous PA.TablePregnant women in the third trimester reported walking duration significantly higher (87.0 %) than women in the second trimester. Non significant differences between trimesters were found in the other PA parameters analyzed. The majority of adolescent pregnant women was classified as active because of the daily report of their household chores. Walking pattern was related mainly to their means of transportation. CONCLUSION: there were no significant differences in the PA level of adolescent pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. It seems that adolescent pregnant women tend to have the same daily PA pattern during all pregnancy.