Abstract
24-hour Movement Behaviors And Elevated Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy: The Pregnancy 24/7 Cohort Study: 860
Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Vol.58(10S), 860
10/2026
DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0001261328.39987.d4
Abstract
Moderate-vigorous and light-intensity physical activity (MVPA, LPA), sedentary behavior (SED), and sleep (24-h movement behaviors) are related to depressive symptoms in the general adult population, yet associations during pregnancy are not well characterized.
PURPOSE: To identify optimal 24-h movement behavior compositions across trimesters associated with lower risk of depression during pregnancy.
METHODS: The Pregnancy 24/7 cohort (N=500) assessed trimester-specific 24-h movement behaviors via the activPAL3 micro (MVPA, LPA, SB) and Actiwatch Spectrum Plus (sleep). Depressive symptoms were measured each trimester using the CESD-10; scores ≥10 indicated elevated symptoms (“depression”). Compositional binomial regression predicted depression risk based on isometric log-ratio transformation of 24-h movement behaviors by trimester. Optimal overlapping compositions were identified across trimesters. Isotemporal substitution predicted depression risk across the substitution spectrum.
RESULTS: Among 478 participants with complete data (mean age 30.7±4.5 years), depression prevalence was 24.9%, 20.3%, and 26.5% across trimesters. MVPA and sleep relative to other behaviors were significantly associated with depression risk in the first and third trimesters. The optimal composition (lowest 5% risk) included 8.8 h/day SED, 7.5 h/day LPA, 55 min/day MVPA, and 6.8 h/day sleep, associated with 12% risk vs. 24.8% for median compositions. Isotemporal substitution when holding LPA and SED constant revealed a non-linear dose-response relationship, with depression risk increasing when MVPA fell below 20 min/day or sleep exceeded 9 h/day. (Figure).
CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient MVPA and prolonged sleep were the strongest correlates of elevated depression risk in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. These findings highlight the importance of promoting adherence to MVPA and sleep guidelines to promote maternal mental health.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- 24-hour Movement Behaviors And Elevated Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy: The Pregnancy 24/7 Cohort Study: 860
- Creators
- Kara M. Whitaker - University of IowaAlex Crisp - University of IowaJaemyung Kim - University of IowaMelissa Jones - Oakland UniversityChristopher Kline - University of PittsburghBethany Barone Gibbs - West Virginia University
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Vol.58(10S), 860
- DOI
- 10.1249/01.mss.0001261328.39987.d4
- ISSN
- 0195-9131
- eISSN
- 1530-0315
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Grant note
- National Institutes of Health: R01HL153095
Supported by: This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health (R01HL153095).
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2026
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9985230925702771
Metrics
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