Association of wearable-device-measured physical activity among pregnant women with pregnancy trimesters and lifestyle

Abstract Pregnant women are advised to engage in at least 150 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The study aimed to elucidate any correlations between physical activity levels and lifestyle factors, such as parity and employment type. We employed wearable devices to measure the total amount, frequency, and duration of daily physical activity among pregnant women. The results revealed three-factor interactions for sedentary behavior and MVPA percentages with trimester, parity, and employment type. The sedentary behavior percentage was highest among primiparas engaged in sedentary jobs throughout their pregnancy and was higher for primiparas than multiparas across all employment types during the third trimester. Among primiparas, the MVPA percentage declined from the second to the third trimester, irrespective of employment type, whereas in multiparas, the percentage decreased for unemployed women or those engaged in standing work. Our findings indicate that sedentary behavior and MVPA of pregnant women are substantially influenced by trimester, parity, and employment type.