Exploring physical activity and mental health during pregnancy in women with diabetes.
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Public Health and Sport Sciences
Abstract
Pregnancy is a key life transition in which women's mental health and wellbeing are intrinsically linked to their own physical health and that of their baby. Diabetes is the most common chronic condition affecting women during pregnancy. In 2021 diabetes affected over 10% of recorded UK pregnancies resulting in live births (approx. 65000). However, the overall impact is substantially greater due to the 3-4 fold increase in risk of miscarriage, congenital malformations and numerous adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Managing diabetes during pregnancy impacts maternal anxiety and mental health due to heightened risk of pregnancy complications, the challenges of glucose control and the impact of changes to treatment. Understanding strategies to reduce the mental health burden of diabetes in pregnancy therefore is a priority.
Regular physical activity (PA) during pregnancy improves cardiovascular health, reduces risk of numerous adverse pregnancy and labor outcomes and improves mood and mental health. During pregnancy PA levels decline among women: as few as 10% will be reach recommended activity levels in trimester 3. For women with diabetes, reaching this level of PA is especially difficult.
At present there is no evidence-based guidance to support PA in women with diabetes during pregnancy due to fundamental gaps in our knowledge. At present no one has examined:
1: How PA changes over time during pregnancy and how this links to changes in management of diabetes, mood and mental health outcomes.
2: The lived experiences of women with diabetes during pregnancy, and their views regarding what information and support might be most useful.
3: The experiences of HCPs and other stakeholders of supporting women with diabetes during pregnancy, their perceptions of both PA as a potential therapeutic tool and the resources/strategies/materials which could be most useful
This interdisciplinary PhD project will address these key evidence gaps.
Managing diabetes during pregnancy impacts maternal anxiety and mental health due to heightened risk of pregnancy complications, the challenges of glucose control and the impact of changes to treatment. Understanding strategies to reduce the mental health burden of diabetes in pregnancy therefore is a priority.
Regular physical activity (PA) during pregnancy improves cardiovascular health, reduces risk of numerous adverse pregnancy and labor outcomes and improves mood and mental health. During pregnancy PA levels decline among women: as few as 10% will be reach recommended activity levels in trimester 3. For women with diabetes, reaching this level of PA is especially difficult.
At present there is no evidence-based guidance to support PA in women with diabetes during pregnancy due to fundamental gaps in our knowledge. At present no one has examined:
1: How PA changes over time during pregnancy and how this links to changes in management of diabetes, mood and mental health outcomes.
2: The lived experiences of women with diabetes during pregnancy, and their views regarding what information and support might be most useful.
3: The experiences of HCPs and other stakeholders of supporting women with diabetes during pregnancy, their perceptions of both PA as a potential therapeutic tool and the resources/strategies/materials which could be most useful
This interdisciplinary PhD project will address these key evidence gaps.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Holly Jones (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000630/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2028 | |||
| 2867789 | Studentship | ES/P000630/1 | 30/09/2023 | 29/09/2027 | Holly Jones |