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Origins in the womb: potential role of the physical therapist in modulating the deleterious effects of obesity on maternal and offspring health through movement promotion and prescription during pregnancy

Authors :
Tinius, Rachel A.
Cahill, Alison G.
Cade, W. Todd
Source :
Physical Therapy. January 2017, Vol. 97 Issue 1, p114, 10 p.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

The high prevalence of obesity continues to be an international public health crisis. Concurrent with record rates of obesity in the general population is the increasing prevalence of maternal obesity. [...]<br />Maternal obesity and associated metabolic disease contribute to adverse outcomes in women and their offspring, and many of these outcomes have significant acute and chronic implications for both mother and neonate. Targeted movement (ie, physical activity or exercise training) during pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective for improving many of these outcomes in women at a healthy weight and women who are obese. However, movement prescription and advice during pregnancy are often not addressed by health care providers; this situation creates a unique opportunity for physical therapists to use their expertise in movement with patients who are pregnant. The objective of this article is to briefly review the adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with maternal obesity, the benefits of intentional maternal movement during pregnancy for women who are obese, the evidence-based guidelines for prescribing intentional movement during pregnancy for women who are obese, and the potential for physical therapists to become the driving force behind a necessary increase in movement levels in women who are pregnant. Physical therapists can play a significant role in encouraging movement in women who are healthy and women who have metabolic challenges during pregnancy and thus assist in combating the vicious cycle of obesity by improving maternal and offspring health.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00319023
Volume :
97
Issue :
1
Database :
Gale General OneFile
Journal :
Physical Therapy
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
edsgcl.487280821
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20150678