Prenatal Exercise for Childhood Obesity

This trial aims to determine which type of exercise—aerobic (cardio), resistance (strength), or a combination of both—best enhances health for pregnant women who are overweight or obese and their babies. Researchers seek to discover if these exercises can improve heart and metabolic health for both mothers and infants, potentially reducing obesity in the next generation. Pregnant women with a single baby, who are overweight or obese, and have their doctor's approval to exercise, might be suitable candidates for this study. As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to contribute to significant research that could benefit future generations.

The trial requires that participants do not use certain medications, such as oral hypertensive drugs and insulin, so you may need to stop taking these if you are currently using them.

Research shows that exercise during pregnancy is generally safe and beneficial for most women. Studies have found that resistance exercises are well tolerated by both the mother and the baby, without harming the baby's health. One study found that moderate aerobic exercise does not negatively affect healthy pregnant women. However, overexertion could impact the baby's well-being.

Researchers are excited about these exercise protocols because they target childhood obesity starting from pregnancy, which is a novel approach. Unlike typical interventions that focus on diet or post-birth exercise for children, these exercise modes engage the mother during pregnancy. The Resistance Exercise (RE), Aerobic Exercise (AE), and Combination Exercise (AERE) treatments uniquely adhere to established guidelines while varying the type and sequence of physical activity, potentially impacting the child's long-term health outcomes. By exploring these varied exercise methods during pregnancy, researchers aim to discover how prenatal activity can influence childhood weight and health, offering a proactive step in obesity prevention.

Studies have shown that exercising during pregnancy can greatly benefit both mothers and their babies. In this trial, participants will join different exercise groups: Resistance Exercise (RE), Aerobic Exercise (AE), a Combination Exercise (AERE) group, or a Control group with no exercise. Research indicates that strength training and aerobic exercises can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and help control weight gain in pregnant women who are overweight or obese. For babies, early findings suggest that when mothers exercise, especially by combining aerobic and strength exercises, it can improve their heart health and body fat levels. Initial data also suggests that this combination of exercises might be particularly effective at lowering the risk of childhood obesity by boosting metabolism. Overall, regular exercise during pregnancy is believed to lead to healthier outcomes for both mother and child.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰