Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Sleep Among Postpartum Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Longgang Zhao; Jihong Liu; Kara M Whitaker; Peiyin Hung; Nicole Hair; Eileen L Chen; Anthony J Alberg

doi:10.1111/birt.70086

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Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Sleep Among Postpartum Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Sleep Among Postpartum Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Longgang Zhao, Jihong Liu, Kara M Whitaker, Peiyin Hung, Nicole Hair, Eileen L Chen and Anthony J Alberg

Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)

06/17/2026

DOI: 10.1111/birt.70086

PMID: 42310930

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Abstract

Little is known about the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviors among postpartum women. We aimed to assess self-reported changes in physical activity, sitting time, and sleep among postpartum women early in the pandemic. We conducted an online survey of postpartum women in the United States (n = 809) during May and June of 2020. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine associations between socio-demographic, medical, and COVID-19-related factors (e.g., COVID-related worries and stressors) and self-reported changes in health behaviors. The prevalence of being less physically active, sitting for longer times, and sleeping less since the pandemic started were 57.4%, 64.9%, and 26.3%, respectively. Medicaid-insured recipients reported more reduced physical activity and longer sitting time than privately insured women. Breastfeeding was associated with higher odds of being less physically active. Worse health status was strongly associated with adverse changes in the three behaviors (All P < 0.05). A higher score on social connection with family members was associated with reduced physical activity and longer sitting time, while those with a higher social connection score with community/neighbors/friends were more physically active. COVID-19-related worries were associated with lower odds of being less physically active but greater likelihood of sitting longer and sleeping less. COVID-19-related stressors were associated with higher odds of sleeping less. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse changes in health behaviors were prevalent among US postpartum women. Intervention programs optimizing multiple health behaviors among postpartum women and high-risk groups are needed during pandemic situations.

sleep

sitting time

postpartum

COVID‐19

physical activity

Details

Title: Subtitle: Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Sleep Among Postpartum Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Creators: Longgang Zhao - University of South Carolina
Jihong Liu - University of South Carolina
Kara M Whitaker - University of Iowa
Peiyin Hung - Department of Health Services
Nicole Hair - University of South Carolina
Eileen L Chen - Duke University
Anthony J Alberg - University of South Carolina
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)
DOI: 10.1111/birt.70086
PMID: 42310930
NLM abbreviation: Birth
ISSN: 1523-536X
eISSN: 1523-536X
Publisher: Wiley
Grant note: The COVID-19 Research Initiative from the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of South Carolina
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 06/17/2026
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
Record Identifier: 9985175465202771

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