Exercise during pregnancy and infant body mass index during the first year of life: a secondary per-protocol analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

La influencia del estilo de vida materno durante el embarazo puede afectar las trayectorias de crecimiento infantil. Este estudio evaluó la asociación entre un programa supervisado de ejercicio físico durante la gestación y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) de los lactantes durante su primer año de vida. Se realizó un análisis secundario por protocolo derivado de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado desarrollado en tres hospitales públicos. Las participantes fueron asignadas a un programa de ejercicio supervisado o a atención obstétrica habitual. Se evaluaron peso, longitud, IMC y tipo de alimentación de los lactantes a los 1, 2, 4, 6 y 12 meses. Los resultados mostraron que, a los 12 meses, los hijos de madres del grupo de ejercicio presentaron un IMC medio inferior y menor probabilidad de sobrepeso, además de mayores tasas de lactancia materna exclusiva durante los primeros meses.

Maternal lifestyle during pregnancy may influence infant growth trajectories. This study examined the association between participation in a supervised prenatal exercise program and infant body mass index (BMI) during the first year of life. A secondary per-protocol analysis was conducted using data from a randomized clinical trial carried out in three public hospitals. Pregnant women were assigned either to a supervised exercise intervention throughout pregnancy or to standard obstetric care. Infant weight, length, BMI, and feeding type were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Results indicated that infants whose mothers participated in the exercise program had a lower mean BMI at 12 months and a reduced likelihood of overweight status compared with controls. The intervention group also showed higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding during early infancy, suggesting potential benefits of prenatal exercise on early growth patterns.