Nonoccupational Physical Activity During Pregnancy, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2023
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Physical activity during pregnancy has numerous health benefits. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of nonoccupational physical activity among pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years in the United States. Using 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, we estimated the prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline (≥150 minutes/week of moderate intensity-equivalent aerobic activity) and muscle-strengthening activity (≥2 episodes/week) among 2104 pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years in the United States and explored sociodemographic differences with adjusted logistic regression modeling. Overall, 49.0% (44.5%-53.4%) and 28.6% (24.9%-32.2%) of women met the aerobic activity guideline and participated in ≥2 episodes per week of muscle-strengthening activity, respectively. In adjusted analyses, we found sociodemographic differences for meeting the aerobic activity guideline (by age, race and ethnicity, and general health) and for participating in ≥2 episodes per week of muscle-strengthening activity (by general health). Opportunities exist to increase physical activity among pregnant women of diverse backgrounds through comprehensive, multilevel approaches so that more people can experience its health benefits.
Source: Public Health Reports
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4412046308