Relação da atividade física e do comportamento sedentário com a qualidade de vida e saúde mental de gestantes: um estudo observacional transversal

Abstract

Pregnancy is a period marked by physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that may influence physical behaviors and mental health. Physical activity is recognized for its benefits to pregnant women, whereas excessive sedentary behavior may be associated with poorer health indicators. Objective: To examine the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior with quality of life and mental health in pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Carlos. The study population consisted of pregnant women aged 18 years or older, in their second or third trimester, and receiving prenatal care. Participants were evaluated using accelerometry for objective measurement of physical behaviors; quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-Bref, and mental health using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Sample characteristics, physical activity data, sedentary behavior, and questionnaire scores were described descriptively. Associations between physical behaviors, quality of life, and mental health were analyzed in RStudio using multiple linear regression models. Results: A total of 50 pregnant women participated in the study, with a mean age of 30.5 ± 6.21 years. The average time spent in physical activity was 42.55 ± 18.44 minutes per day, and sedentary behavior totaled 615.39 ± 97.28 minutes per day. The mean WHOQOL-Bref score was 96.25 ± 10.27, and the EPDS score was 8 ± 4.13. No significant associations were found between physical activity or sedentary behavior and quality of life or mental health. Conclusion: Most participants met global physical activity recommendations but exhibited long periods of sedentary behavior. No relationships were found between physical activity and sedentary behavior with the analyzed outcomes; however, occupational status proved to be a relevant factor in the questionnaire scores.