Abstract
Prenatal depression confers health risks for both mother and family. Physical activity may promote better mental health; however,
few studies have examined the influence of physical activity on prenatal depression. Data from 1,220 women enrolled in the
third Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study (2001–2005) were used to examine the associations between overall and domain-specific
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Self-reported, past week physical
activity assessed at 17−22 weeks’ gestation was modeled in logistic regression with self-reported depressive symptoms assessed
by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale at 24–29 weeks’ gestation. Active women with ≤2.67 h/week of total
MVPA had almost half the odds of having high depressive symptoms as compared to women with no MVPA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56,
95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38, 0.83). Increased odds of elevated depressive symptoms were found for women participating
in some but ≤2.25 h/week of adult and child care MVPA (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.08, 3.11) and >1 h of indoor household MVPA (OR = 1.63,
95% CI = 0.99, 2.70) when compared to women with no MVPA. While overall MVPA may play a role in reducing the odds of developing
elevated depressive symptoms, adult and child care and indoor household activities may increase it.
few studies have examined the influence of physical activity on prenatal depression. Data from 1,220 women enrolled in the
third Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study (2001–2005) were used to examine the associations between overall and domain-specific
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Self-reported, past week physical
activity assessed at 17−22 weeks’ gestation was modeled in logistic regression with self-reported depressive symptoms assessed
by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale at 24–29 weeks’ gestation. Active women with ≤2.67 h/week of total
MVPA had almost half the odds of having high depressive symptoms as compared to women with no MVPA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56,
95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38, 0.83). Increased odds of elevated depressive symptoms were found for women participating
in some but ≤2.25 h/week of adult and child care MVPA (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.08, 3.11) and >1 h of indoor household MVPA (OR = 1.63,
95% CI = 0.99, 2.70) when compared to women with no MVPA. While overall MVPA may play a role in reducing the odds of developing
elevated depressive symptoms, adult and child care and indoor household activities may increase it.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s00737-010-0193-z
- Authors
- Zewditu Demissie, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 137 East Franklin Street, Suite 306, CB# 7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA
- Anna Maria Siega-Riz, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 137 East Franklin Street, Suite 306, CB# 7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA
- Kelly R. Evenson, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 137 East Franklin Street, Suite 306, CB# 7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA
- Amy H. Herring, Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, CB# 7420, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7420, USA
- Nancy Dole, Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 517 Univ Square East, CB# 8120, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
- Bradley N. Gaynes, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Rm 10306, 1st Floor Neurosciences Hospital, CB# 7160, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Journal Archives of Women’s Mental Health
- Online ISSN 1435-1102
- Print ISSN 1434-1816