Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Attitudes and Practices of Hong Kong Chinese Women

Abstract

Objectives: To explore Hong Kong Chinese women’s attitude towards and degree of physical activity during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, and to identify factors that may be associated with a satisfactory level.
Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited women from a regional hospital in Hong Kong from March to July 2014. A self-administered questionnaire written in traditional Chinese was distributed in the first trimester and a follow-up questionnaire in the second trimester. Level of physical activity was assessed with the validated Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire.
Results: A total of 534 questionnaires from the first trimester and 261 from the second were included for analysis. Around 94.5% of subjects agreed that exercise is necessary during pregnancy. Only 26.0% of women sought advice from medical staff. The median total physical activity level was 176.6 mean weekly energy expenditure (MET-h/week) and 179.4 MET-h/week in the first and second trimester, respectively. The level of sports activity was significantly increased in the second trimester compared with the first, with 23% to 30% of women exercising at the recommended level. Women with higher education level (p=0.002) and higher income (p=0.02) were more likely to be engaged in sports.
Conclusion: The total physical activity level was comparable in both trimesters, but sports activity significantly increased in the second trimester. Increased awareness of the recommended exercise level should be actively promoted by health care professionals.