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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Microbiome and Metabolism Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #296393
Title: Greater physical activity levels during pregnancy are associated with lower inflammation and insulin resistance in obese women

Author
item ANDRES, ALINE - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC)
item FASKE, JENNIFER - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC)
item SHANKAR, KARTIK - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC)
item Badger, Thomas

Submitted to: Annual Scientific Meeting NAASO, The Obesity Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/2013
Publication Date: 11/15/2013
Publication URL: http://2013.obesityweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/FRI_TOS_Abstract_Book_FINAL.pdf
Citation: Andres, A., Faske, J., Shankar, K., Badger, T.M. 2013. Greater physical activity levels during pregnancy are associated with lower inflammation and insulin resistance in obese women [abstract]. Obesity Week: Where Science and Treatment Meet, November 11-16, 2013, Atlanta, Georgia. The Obesity Society 2013 Abstract Book. T-81-OR:S72.

Interpretive Summary: Compared to lean pregnant women, obese women develop greater insulin resistance and systemic inflammation during pregnancy. Identifying lifestyle factors that can reduce the metabolic effect of obesity during pregnancy is critical to protect both the mother and the fetus from insulin resistance and inflammation. Here we prospectively investigated the association between physical activity and serum levels of insulin resistance and inflammation at gestation week 30 and birth in 33 lean and 18 obese women. Insulin resistance was negatively associated with physical activity at gestation week 30 and at birth whereas inflammation was negatively associated with physical activity at birth in obese women. There was no relationship between insulin resistance or inflammation and physical activity in lean women. These data suggest that physical activity interventions during pregnancy may be beneficial to the mother and the offspring in obese women.

Technical Abstract: Compared to lean pregnant women, obese women develop greater insulin resistance and systemic inflammation during pregnancy. Identifying lifestyle factors that can reduce the metabolic effect of obesity during pregnancy is critical to protect both the mother and the fetus from insulin resistance and inflammation. Here we prospectively investigated the association between physical activity and serum levels of insulin, glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP) at gestation week 30 and birth in 33 lean and 18 obese women. Total body fat mass (FM) was obtained using air displacement plethysmography (BodPod®). Physical activity was monitored using an accelerometer (Actical®, Phillips, Andover, MA) worn for 2 weekend days and 2 week days to derive total daily activity counts (AC). Serum analyses were conducted using standard ELISA and colorimetric assays on fasted serum samples at gestation week 30 and on umbilical cord serum at birth. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indexes computed from insulin and glucose levels were negatively associated with AC in obese women at gestation week 30 (r=-0.588, P=0.01, N=18) and at birth (r=-0.542, P=0.07, N=13). Similarly, CRP levels were negatively associated with AC in obese women (r=-0.523, P=0.03) at gestation week 30. There were no significant associations of HOMA-IR indexes or CRP levels with AC in lean women. These data suggest that physical activity interventions during pregnancy may be beneficial to the mother and the offspring by increasing maternal and fetal insulin sensitivity and reducing maternal inflammation in obese pregnant women.