A Call for the Implementation of Physical Activity as a Vital Sign (PAVS) During Pregnancy.

Despite decades of research and clinical insights on the importance of physical activity during pregnancy for maternal and infant health, over 75% of pregnant individuals do not meet general physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical each week. This may be due to several barriers that restrict engagement in physical activity during pregnancy. Without providing individualized facilitators to overcome these respective barriers, physical activity engagement during pregnancy may be severely limited and/or reduced.

Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and the Obesity Paradox with Consideration for Racial and/or Ethnic Differences: A Broad Review and Call to Action.

Despite decades of extensive research and clinical insights on the increased risk of all-cause and disease-specific morbidity and mortality due to obesity, the obesity paradox still presents a unique perspective, i.e., having a higher body mass index (BMI) offers a protective effect on adverse health outcomes, particularly in people with known cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness and incident type 2 diabetes in adults.

Aim(s): To examine the association between non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) and incident type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In a sample of 13,616 men and women without diabetes at baseline, incident type 2 diabetes were determined as fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 7 mmol/l (126 mg/dL), self-report, or insulin usage at follow-up. eCRF was calculated in metabolic equivalents (METs) at baseline using sex-specific algorithms, including physical activity, smoking status, age, body mass index, waist circumference, and resting heart rate.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness as a Predictor of Non-Cardiovascular Disease and Non-Cancer Mortality in Men.

Objective: To evaluate the association of 5 major cause-specific non-cardiovascular disease (CVD) and non-cancer deaths with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

Methods: Patients were 36,645 men (43.3±9.

Influence of Food Security Status and Diet Quality on Maternal Gestational Weight Gain.

Background: Recommended gestational weight gain (GWG) is crucial for health of women and their offspring. Food security status is hypothesized to influence diet quality and GWG. Therefore, we examined the relationship between diet quality and GWG by food security status.

Healthful Eating Behaviors among Couples Contribute to Lower Gestational Weight Gain.

Through longitudinal analysis from the GLOWING cohort study, we examined the independent and joint relationships between couples' eating behaviors and gestational weight gain (GWG). Pregnant persons (n = 218) and their non-pregnant partners (n = 157) completed an Eating Inventory. GWG was calculated as gestation weight at 36 weeks minus that at 10 weeks.

Effect of Exercise Training on Lipoprotein Subclass Particle Concentrations and Sizes in Older Women: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Evidence suggests that lipoprotein subclass particles are critical markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Older women have increased CVD risk related to age. The purpose of this study was to determine whether low and moderate doses of exercise influence lipoprotein subclasses.

Access, Interest, and Barriers to Incorporation of Birth Doula Care in the United States.

Doula care improves maternal care, yet barriers exist to incorporating doula care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate interest and barriers to doula care. Overall, 508 women, 26-35 years of age (54.

Associations between Sleep and Body Composition in Older Women and the Potential Role of Physical Function.

Purpose: The relationship between sleep and adiposity in older women remains unclear partly due to the reliance of body mass index as a measure of adiposity. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between objectively measured sleep characteristics and body composition measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in older women. A secondary purpose was to examine if physical function mediates this relationship.

Body weight and fat trajectories of Black and White women in the first postpartum year.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine changes in body weight and fat in Black and White women during the first postpartum year and to determine whether there is preferential retention of fat mass and abdominal fat.

Methods: Body composition was quantified by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in Black (n = 49) and White (n = 85) women at 6 to 8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after delivery of a singleton infant.

Results: Weight, fat mass, percent body fat, and fat in the trunk, android, gynoid, and limb regions decreased from 6 to 8 weeks to 12 months in White women, but not in Black women (fat mass, adjusted mean [SE]: 29.

Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity Engagement to Inform a Precision Prescription Approach during Pregnancy.

Physical activity during pregnancy is an important health behavior. However, many pregnant individuals are provided with little-to-no guidance to adequately engage in physical activity. The purpose of this quantitative and quasi-qualitative study of currently or previously pregnant women was to examine physical activity behaviors in pregnancy and understand barriers and facilitators to achieving physical activity recommendations.

Cross-Sectional and Individual Relationships between Physical Activity and Glycemic Variability.

Introduction/purpose: Overweight or obese adults spend more time sedentary and less time performing physical activity (PA) and are at an increased risk for developing impaired glycemic health. Free-living environments may provide insight into glycemic health in addition to clinical assessments. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between PA and glycemic health assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

Glycemic variability: Importance, relationship with physical activity, and the influence of exercise.

Glycemic variability is a more sensitive assessment of glycemic health as opposed to traditional clinical measurements. It considers all blood glucose concentrations over a given period to better account for glucose oscillations that occur and provides clinicians with insight into how individuals regulate and/or maintain their glycemic health. The advancement of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) allows for the measurement of free-living glucose concentrations while providing a more reliable assessment of treatment of dysregulated glycemic.

Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy targeting GDM prevention: looking ahead to precision medicine.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most prevalent pregnancy-related endocrinopathy, affecting up to 25% of pregnancies worldwide. Pregnant individuals who develop GDM have an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and birth, as well as future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and CVD. This increased risk is subsequently passed along to the offspring, perpetuating a cycle of metabolic dysfunction across generations.

Alterations in Glycemic Variability, Vascular Health, and Oxidative Stress following a 12-Week Aerobic Exercise Intervention-A Pilot Study.

The state of being overweight or obese leads to an increased risk of development of cardiometabolic disease. Increases in glycemic variability have been associated with greater induction of oxidative stress and declined vascular health, which may be exacerbated by higher weight status and improved through exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a twelve-week aerobic exercise intervention on continuous glucose monitor (CGM) assessed glucose concentrations and glycemic variability, and biomarkers of vascular health and oxidative stress in overweight or obese adults.

Assessment of Eating Behaviors and Perceptions of Time-Restricted Eating During Pregnancy.

Background: The maternal metabolic milieu is challenged during pregnancy and may result in unwarranted metabolic complications. A time-restricted eating (TRE) pattern may optimize the metabolic response to pregnancy by improving glucose metabolism and reducing circulating glucose concentrations, as it does in nonpregnant individuals.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to 1) assess eating timing in pregnant women; 2) understand the perceptions of adopting a TRE pattern; 3) determine the barriers and support mechanisms for incorporating a TRE pattern; and 4) identify those most willing to adopt a TRE pattern during pregnancy.

Eating Behaviors and Dietary Patterns of Women during Pregnancy: Optimizing the Universal 'Teachable Moment'.

Understanding women's perceptions of eating behaviors and dietary patterns can inform the 'teachable moment' model of pregnancy. Our objectives were to describe eating behaviors and dietary patterns in pregnancy. This was a cross-sectional, national electronic survey.

Impact of COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders on Health Behaviors and Anxiety in Black and White Americans.

Background: In the United States (US), the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are higher in Black compared to White residents. Systemic inequities and differences in health behaviors may contribute to disparities in COVID-19 health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders on changes in health behaviors and anxiety in Black and White adults residing in the US.

Beyond weight loss: current perspectives on the impact of calorie restriction on healthspan and lifespan.

: Changes to mental, physical, and physiological functions drive the complex processes underlying the variable progression of human aging. Nutritional interventions are one of the most promising non-pharmacological therapeutics to attenuate aging in humans. This narrative review aims to describe the implications of moderate and prolonged calorie restriction (CR) in healthy adults without obesity that occur beyond weight loss.

Effects of moderate sleep restriction during 8-week calorie restriction on lipoprotein particles and glucose metabolism.

Study Objectives: This study examined how glucose, glucose regulatory hormones, insulin sensitivity, and lipoprotein subclass particle concentrations and sizes change with sleep restriction during weight loss elicited by calorie restriction.

Methods: Overweight or obese adults were randomized into an 8-week calorie restriction intervention alone (CR, = 12; 75% female; body mass index = 31.4 ± 2.

Sedentary Time and Physical Activity in Older Women Undergoing Exercise Training.

Unlabelled: Older adults have low rates meeting the physical activity (PA) guidelines and high sedentary time. Low PA and excessive sedentary time have been linked to adverse health outcomes. Less is known about whether exercise training influences sedentary time and PA in various intensities.

Influence of sleep restriction on weight loss outcomes associated with caloric restriction.

Study Objectives: To examine the effects of moderate sleep restriction (SR) on body weight, body composition, and metabolic variables in individuals undergoing caloric restriction (CR).

Methods: Overweight or obese adults were randomized to an 8 week caloric restriction (CR) regimen alone (n = 15) or combined with sleep restriction (CR + SR) (n = 21). All participants were instructed to restrict daily calorie intake to 95 per cent of their measured resting metabolic rate.