Increased time in sedentary behaviour was significantly associated with higher levels of C Reactive Protein and LDL Cholesterol , and a larger newborn abdominal circumference .
Discrepancies were found in associations of sedentary behaviour with gestational weight gain , hypertensive disorders , and birth weight .
No consistent associations were found between sedentary behaviour and other variables such as gestational diabetes .
Conclusions Our review highlights the significant time spent in sedentary behaviour during pregnancy , and that sedentary behaviour may impact on pregnancy outcomes for both mother and child .
Background In the general population , at least 50 % of time awake is spent in sedentary behaviours .
Sedentary behaviours are activities that expend less energy than 1.5 metabolic equivalents , such as sitting .
The amount of time spent in sedentary behaviours is a risk factor for diseases such as type 2 diabetes , cardiovascular disease , and death from all causes .
Even individuals meeting physical activity guidelines are at a higher risk of premature death and adverse metabolic outcomes if they sit for extended intervals .
The associations between sedentary behaviour with type 2 diabetes and with impaired glucose tolerance are stronger for women than for men .
It is not known whether sedentary behaviour in pregnancy influences pregnancy outcomes , but if those negative outcomes observed in general adult population also occur in pregnancy , this could have implication s for adverse outcomes for mothers and offspring .
We aim ed to determine the proportion of time spent in sedentary behaviours among pregnant women , and the association of sedentary behaviour with pregnancy outcomes in mothers and offspring .
Association between Physical Activity in Obese Pregnant Women and Pregnancy Outcomes: The UPBEAT Pilot Study
Background : Obesity in pregnancy is associated with fetal macrosomia , a raised neonatal fat mass and an increased risk of obesity and poor metabolic health in childhood which persists into adulthood . The offspring of obese women are more likely to be obese than the offspring of lean women when they become pregnant themselves , perpetuating a cycle of obesity and its associated negative metabolic consequences . Increasing physical activity during pregnancy could improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of maternal and offspring adverse outcomes . The UK Pregnancy Better Eating and Activity Trial ( UPBEAT ) is a trial of a complex intervention design ed to improve pregnancy outcomes through dietary changes and physical activity .  Data from the pilot trial of 183 women were available for analysis . The relationship between the time spent at different physical activity levels and maternal and infant pregnancy outcomes was examined . Key Messages : Strong evidence exists that physical activity improves insulin sensitivity in non-pregnant population s , and lifestyle interventions of proven effectiveness in non-pregnant population s have been developed . Women who are active in pregnancy demonstrate better glucose control and favourable pregnancy outcomes . There is a lack of effective interventions to support obese pregnant women to be physically active . Conclusions : No difference was detected in objective ly measured physical activity between women r and omised to the intervention and control arms of the UPBEAT pilot trial . Light-intensity physical activity was lower in early pregnancy in women who delivered macrosomic infants . Maternal sedentary time at 35 - 36 weeks ' gestation was positively associated and moderate-intensity physical activity was inversely associated with neonatal abdominal circumference . Maternal physical activity is associated with infant birth weight and abdominal circumference and is an appropriate target for intervention to improve infant outcomes . The challenge remains to develop an effective intervention to support obese pregnant women to be physically active
Increased time in sedentary behaviour was significantly associated with higher levels of C Reactive Protein and LDL Cholesterol , and a larger newborn abdominal circumference .
Discrepancies were found in associations of sedentary behaviour with gestational weight gain , hypertensive disorders , and birth weight .
No consistent associations were found between sedentary behaviour and other variables such as gestational diabetes .
Conclusions Our review highlights the significant time spent in sedentary behaviour during pregnancy , and that sedentary behaviour may impact on pregnancy outcomes for both mother and child .
Background In the general population , at least 50 % of time awake is spent in sedentary behaviours .
Sedentary behaviours are activities that expend less energy than 1.5 metabolic equivalents , such as sitting .
The amount of time spent in sedentary behaviours is a risk factor for diseases such as type 2 diabetes , cardiovascular disease , and death from all causes .
Even individuals meeting physical activity guidelines are at a higher risk of premature death and adverse metabolic outcomes if they sit for extended intervals .
The associations between sedentary behaviour with type 2 diabetes and with impaired glucose tolerance are stronger for women than for men .
It is not known whether sedentary behaviour in pregnancy influences pregnancy outcomes , but if those negative outcomes observed in general adult population also occur in pregnancy , this could have implication s for adverse outcomes for mothers and offspring .
We aim ed to determine the proportion of time spent in sedentary behaviours among pregnant women , and the association of sedentary behaviour with pregnancy outcomes in mothers and offspring .