Mums-to-be can have lighter babies through exercise--study

Researchers at University of Auckland, New Zealand established that mothers working out regularly during pregnancy have healthier babies with reduced chances of obesity and strong overall metabolism.

Study co-author, Dr. Paul L. Hofman, University of Auckland said, “Our findings show that regular aerobic exercise alters the maternal environment in some way that has an impact on nutrient stimulation of fetal growth, resulting in a reduction in offspring birth weight.”

“Given that large birth size is associated with an increased risk of obesity, a modest reduction in birth weight may have long-term health benefits for offspring by lowering this risk in later life,” added Hofman.

84 pregnant women studied
The research team conducted the study with 84 first-time pregnant women and divided them into groups for comparative results.

Subjects were randomly assigned to exercise group and control group, where the former was asked to ride stationary bicycle at moderate intensity for 40 minutes, five times a week.

Subjects in the control group performed their daily activities without any exercise regimen.

The study began when the subjects in both groups entered 20 weeks of pregnancy and continued till 36 weeks gestation period.

Subjects were of similar age and background with an average healthy body weight prior to pregnancy.

Results of the study
The researchers found that babies born to exercising mothers had lower body mass index (BMI) yet were healthy.

It was found that exercisers gave birth to babies weighing 7.5 pounds in contrast to non-exercising mothers whose babies weighed 7.8 pounds on an average, with no differences in their lengths.

Infants were followed-up two weeks post birth which revealed that babies of exercising mothers were around 8.1 pounds and those of inactive mothers weighed 8.6 pounds.

Researchers also explained that babies weighing 8.8 pounds are characterized as high birth-weight babies.

“We would suggest this study support the recommendations of at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily and probably more,” concluded Hofman.

Other findings
Study collaborator, Chris Baldi, PhD, assistant professor, biological sciences, Northern Arizona University, found no particular reason as to why exercising mothers have smaller babies but established that a woman becomes more insulin-resistant during pregnancy which can cause gestational diabetes.

But there were no changes in insulin sensitivity in both study groups, established researchers.

The study appears in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.