The association of maternal sedentary behaviour before and during pregnancy and offspring health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behaviour is prevalent and associated with adverse maternal outcomes. However, conflicting results exist regarding the relationship between maternal sedentary behaviour before or during pregnancy and the consequences for offspring.

AIM: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively synthesise the existing evidence on the associations of maternal sedentary behaviour before or during pregnancy with offspring health outcomes.

METHODS

Studies were obtained by searching relevant literature using seven databases from inception to February 4, 2025. Two independent reviewers screened the literature, assessed study eligibility, and extracted data. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A meta-analysis was conducted for a minimum of two comparable studies; otherwise, a narrative synthesis was employed.

FINDINGS: Nine studies were included in this review. Outcome variables were birth outcomes (n = 8) and infant weight at 12 months (n = 1). Meta-analysis of two studies showed no statistically significant association between maternal sedentary time during pregnancy and low birth weight (odds ratio = 1.68, 95 % confidence intervals = 0.63-4.50). In the narrative synthesis, three studies found an association between maternal sedentary time during pregnancy and birth outcomes. Maternal sedentary time before pregnancy was associated with non-cardiac birth defects but not with birth weight or small for gestational age.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is some evidence that mothers' sedentary behaviour before or during pregnancy may be associated with the health of offspring, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the impact on long-term offspring outcomes.