CLINICAL STUDIESPhysical Activity and Postpartum Well-Being
Section snippets
Related Literature
The National Institutes of Health (1995) consensus statement on physical activity and cardiovascular health and the report of the U.S. surgeon general on physical activity and health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1996) make a persuasive evidence-based case for the contribution of physical activity to overall health and well-being. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with decreased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, noninsulin dependent
Methods
A secondary analysis was conducted of longitudinal data collected prenatally and postpartum in a study of obstetric outcomes at a midwestern tertiary-care center and its ambulatory satellite and hospital clinics (Oakley et al., 1996). The goal of the parent study was to enroll women at low to moderate risk. Registered nurses assessed the risk status of every pregnant woman with a private first prenatal visit to the participating providers between May 1988 and April 1992. Women were excluded
Patterns of Postpartum Activity
Self-reported exercise levels and participation in activities for fun are presented in Table 1. Those who reported doing vigorous exercise indicated a modal frequency of three times per week.
Postpartum Activity and Maternal Weight Retention
Because of the contribution of excess weight to poor physical health, we examined postpartum weight retention. To test hypothesis 1, that less postpartum activity is associated with weight retention, we compared mean weight retained in the groups who reported lower, the same, and higher activity levels at 6
Discussion
The differences between those who completed the study and those who did not worked to increase the homogeneity of the final sample and to make our results less likely. That is, the final sample would be expected to have greater psychologic hardiness and to be less sensitive to an effect of exercise on well-being because of its greater access to resources. Thus, the significant associations that we report are particularly noteworthy. A greater effect size would be anticipated in a more
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