The effects of a physical exercise program on fetal well-being and intrauterine safety.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supervised physical exercise program on fetal well-being and intrauterine safety. Physical activity is recommended for healthy pregnant women. However, constant evaluation of fetal condition and development is recommended to ensure the safety of the exercise program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized control trial study design. Sixty-six healthy pregnant women (age 24-35) with singleton gestation were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (EG, n = 34) or a non-active control group (CG, n = 32). The exercise program included 81 sessions (moderate intensity, 3 times per week, 50-60 min/session from weeks 13 to weeks 40/41 of pregnancy). Fetal well-being was assessed in weeks 32 and 37 of pregnancy. The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) was calculated to evaluate the safety of the exercise program for the fetus. RESULTS: The differences in the CPR ratio measurements between EG and CG groups in week 37 (p < 0.05) were observed. The increase in the CPR ratio was also shown in week 37 of pregnancy in comparison to week 32 (p < 0.01). Moreover, maternal heart rate was significantly lower in the exercise group as measured at 37 weeks (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that regular and supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy does not affect fetal well-being and is safe for the fetus. Additionally, regular physical activity improves maternal physical fitness and cardiac efficiency which might aid at preparing pregnant women for natural labor.

The Effectiveness of Regular Exercise Programs in the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-A Systematic Review.

IMPORTANCE: Physical activity is recognized as one of the most important tools in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to compare and analyze regular prenatal exercise programs and examine their effectiveness in the prevention of GDM. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The following databases were used: Academic Search Complete, Health Source-Consumer Edition, Health Source-Nursing/Academic Edition, Master File Premier, MEDLINE, and SportDiscus with full text. The inclusion criteria were as follows: a randomized study, regular training program throughout pregnancy, and supervised by a prenatal activity specialist. RESULTS: The 10 articles selected for the review were divided into 2 groups. The first group comprised 2 studies presenting successful interventions in the prevention of GDM, whereas the second group included 8 articles with no statistically significant effects of the training programs in GDM prevention. Beginning an exercise program at early stages of the pregnancy and high adherence were common features of the effective programs. CONCLUSIONS: When designing and carrying out the program, the beginning of the intervention and adherence should be considered. To increase adherence, the program should be attractive and it should meet the participants' needs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This review might be used for identifying factors deciding whether an exercise program is an effective intervention to prevent the development of GDM. Moreover, it might also prove useful in the preparation of future guidelines for designing and implementing regular exercise programs effective in preventing GDM in pregnant women by gynecologists, obstetricians, midwives, trainers, and prenatal specialists.

Assessment of nutritional behaviour of children aged 3-7 from selected kindergartens in Biala Podlaska county

Background: Children constitute a group that is particularly susceptible to the effects of improper nutrition. The knowledge of parents and guardians about proper nutrition affects their children's nutritional habits and behaviours. Children develop their patterns of nutritional behaviours on the basis of their observations of nutritional habits of adults, nutrition trends and nutritional education. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess nutritional behaviours of children aged 3-7 from selected kindergartens in Biala Podlaska county. Material and methods: The research included 549 children, i.e. 258 girls (47%) and 291 boys (53%) aged 3-7 years. The study was conducted in 2015 within the county health prevention and promotion programme titled "Together for heart" in several selected kindergartens in Biala Podlaska county. A questionnaire prepared by the authors and distributed among parents of the examined children was used in the study. The questions regarded the frequency and number of meals, types of products consumed between the meals and the frequency of consuming fruit and vegetables, sweets, fizzy drinks, fast foods and milk or dairy products (natural yoghurt, kefir, cottage cheese). Differences between the responses to the questions in groups divided according to sex were analysed with the use of χ2 test (G function). Results: It was revealed that 219 girls (84.9%) and 273 boys (93.8%) had at least four meals a day while 23.7% of the children left home without breakfast. The main meal, i.e. dinner, was eaten by 227 girls and 256 boys every day, which constituted 88% of each gender group. In turn, 20 girls and 27 boys (8% and 9% of the study participants, respectively) regularly skipped supper. The most common products consumed between the main meals were fruit and vegetables (eaten by 44% of the girls and 39% of the boys). It was declared that dairy products (milk, natural yoghurt and/or kefir) were consumed once a week or less frequently by 43% of the girls and 45% of the boys. Cottage cheese was equally rarely eaten, i.e. 48% of the girls and 44% of the boys reported having it once a week or less frequently. The study also revealed insufficient consumption of fish. It was eaten once a week or less frequently by 60% of the girls and 50% of the boys. Conclusions: The assessment of nutritional behaviours revealed mistakes which may negatively affect proper development if they are repeated. It seems necessary to implement nutritional education among children and their parents in order to shape proper nutritional behaviours and correct mistakes.

Assessment of nutritional behaviours of children aged 7-12 attending to primary schools in Biala Podlaska, Poland

Background: Children and youth constitute a group that is particularly prone to the effects of improper diet. In the puberty period, numerous significant lifestyle choices are made, for instance regarding particular nutritional behaviours which may be repeated later in life and may determine the state of health. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess nutritional behaviours of children aged 7-12 attending to primary schools in Biala Podlaska county (Eastern Region of Poland). Material and methods: The study included 1643 children aged 7-12 from primary schools in Biala Podlaska county. The research was carried out in 2015. The questions included in the questionnaire prepared by the authors regarded the number and regularity of meals, the types of products (mainly fruit and vegetables, sweets, fizzy drinks, fast food, milk and dairy products) and the frequency of consuming them during these meals and between them. Differences between the responses to the questions in groups divided according to gender were analysed with the use of χ2 test (G function). Results: It was revealed that 672 girls (81.7%) and 633 boys (71.9%) had at least four meals a day, while as many as 23% of the girls and boys did not have breakfast before going to school and 33.5% of the girls and 37.4% of the boys did not take lunch to school. The main meal (dinner) was eaten every day by 652 girls (78.5%) and 605 boys (74.5%). Products most commonly eaten between the main meals were fruit and vegetables (51% of the girls and 42.4% of the boys), while sweets were consumed 2-3 times a week by 37.2% of the girls and 36.1% of the boys. The consumption of dairy products (milk, natural yoghurt and/or kefir) once a week or less frequently was declared by 53% of the girls and boys. Conclusions: Assessment of nutritional behaviours revealed numerous mistakes which may negatively affect the development of the study participants. In the light of the above findings, it seems necessary to provide children and their parents with nutritional education in order to develop proper nutritional behaviours and correct the mistakes.