Physical Activity and Energy Expenditure: Findings from the Ibadan Pregnant Women’s Survey

Physical activity, if there are no medical caveats, is beneficial to all people including pregnant women. This study examined the level of physical activity in a group of pregnant Nigerian women. Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical activity of 453 pregnant women. The mean age of participants was 30.89}4.44 years, 222 (49.0%) were sedentary, and only 46 (10.2%) presented with moderate activity level. The highest amount of energy (75.9 MET-hEwk-1) was expended on household activities. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy had more than three times the risk of being sedentary (OR=3.26, 95% CI = 2.11-4.56) but the risk reduced by 58% in gravid .5 women. Most of the pregnant women recorded physical activity that was lower than the recommended level, which could lead to unfavourable health outcomes for mother and child. Efforts to promote physical activity in pregnant women in this environment are desirable. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 117-126).Keywords: Physical activity, Energy expenditure, Pregnancy, Maternal health promotion Sfil n'y a pas de mises en garde medicales, l'activite physique est benefique pour toutes les personnes y compris les femmes enceintes. Cette etude a examine le niveau d'activite physique dans un groupe de femmes nigerianes enceintes. Un questionnaire base sur lfactivite physique a ete utilise pour evaluer l'activite physique de 453 femmes enceintes. L'age moyen des participants etait de 30,89 } 4,44 ans, 222 (49,0%) etaient sedentaire, et seulement 46 (10,2%) ont presente avec le niveau d'activite physique modere. Le montant le plus eleve de l'energie (75,9 MET-h. sem - 1) ont ete consacres aux activites menageres. Les femmes dans le troisieme trimestre de la grossesse courent plus de trois fois le risque d'etre sedentaire (OR = 3,26, IC 95% 2,11 a 4,56 =) mais le risque se reduit de 58% en gravides . 5 femmes. La plupart des femmes enceintes ont enregistre l'activite physique qui etait inferieur au niveau recommande, ce qui pourrait conduire a des resultats defavorables sur la sante de la mere et de l'enfant. il est souhaitable dfavoir des efforts pour promouvoir l'activite physique chez les femmes enceintes dans cet environnement. Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[2]: 117-126).Mots-cles: activite physique, depenses d'energie, grossesse, promotion de la sante maternell