Comparison of Levels of BMI, Stress, and Depression of Women During the Prenatal Period Relative to Their Activity Levels

Kalayna King

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between activity levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), stress levels, and depression symptoms in obese pregnant women in Arkansas. Two separate exercise intervention studies were combined in this analysis to ultimately give a sample size of 293 pregnant women who were randomized into standard of care group (control) and an exercise group (experimental) (n = 115 and n = 178, respectively). Women in the control groups were instructed to independently continue to follow the physical activity guidelines recommended by their gynecologist, whereas the experimental groups participated in a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise programs that ended in stretching. Activity levels were analyzed by looking at weekly step counts at enrollment (~11 weeks to ~15 weeks during pregnancy) and during the third trimester. Other variables measured at this timeframe included BMI, stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale), and depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II). Two out of four of my hypotheses were shown to be true. Correct hypotheses that this study showed were that the treatment group maintained higher weekly steps than the control group and that BMI is related to third trimester weekly steps. In contrast, activity levels were not significantly related to stress or depression symptoms.