A Healthier Pregnancy in Four Words: Sit Less, Move More
By Akpobome Biakolo. MB.BS. Freelance Writer and DLHA Volunteer. Medically reviewed by The DLHA Team.
June 15, 2026
AI generated photo of and African lady sitting on a sofa in her living room and channel on television channels with a remote control in hand. Click on image to enlarge.
A growing body of evidence including one from a new study suggest that prolonged sitting during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of complications, highlighting sedentary behavior as an important but often overlooked risk factor in maternal health.
The recent study published in JAMA Network Open (2026) examined the relationship between sedentary time, light-intensity physical activity, and pregnancy outcomes.
The research was conducted in the United States using data from a special new Mothers-To-Be (nuMoM2b) Outcome Study, a large prospective cohort study involving over 2,100 pregnant individuals who will be delivering for the first time and were recruited across multiple centers.
Participants’ activity levels were objectively measured using wearable accelerometers, allowing researchers to assess daily sitting time, light physical activity, and step counts. The study then evaluated associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational-age infants.
The researchers found that pregnant individuals who spent more time sitting and had lower daily movement levels were at significantly higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Compared with those who sat less.
Participants with the highest sedentary time had:
Notably, the study also demonstrated that even modest increases in light activity—such as walking or routine daily movement—were associated with reduced risks. This suggests that the benefits of movement extend beyond structured exercise.
The findings reinforce the concept that sedentary behavior is not simply the absence of exercise but a distinct health risk. Even among individuals who meet recommended physical activity levels, prolonged uninterrupted sitting may still negatively affect metabolic and cardiovascular health. In pregnancy, this effect may be amplified due to physiological changes such as increased insulin resistance, altered vascular function, and changes in body composition.
Earlier research supports these observations. A systematic review, which is a study that attempts to collect and analyze all evidence that answers a specific question, examined sedentary behavior in pregnant women and found that longer sitting time was associated with increased risks of gestational diabetes mellitus and prenatal or postpartum depression:
Another review also highlighted associations between sedentary behavior and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Other studies have reported links between sedentary behavior and unfavorable metabolic markers, including elevated inflammatory markers and lipid abnormalities, which may contribute to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
The biological mechanisms underlying these associations are many.
Importantly, the risks associated with prolonged sitting appear to be modifiable. The JAMA study emphasized that replacing sedentary time with light-intensity movement—rather than only moderate or vigorous exercise—can significantly improve outcomes. This is particularly relevant for pregnant women who may find structured exercise challenging due to fatigue, discomfort, or environmental and cultural barriers.
Despite its strengths, the study has some limitations. Activity data were collected during a specific period of pregnancy and may not reflect behavioral changes across all stages of pregnancy. The study population was based in the United States, which may limit generalisability to other regions, including African populations. Additionally, as an observational study, causality cannot be definitively established, and other confounding factors—such as diet, stress, or sleep—may influence outcomes.
Modern lifestyles in many African urban centres have made prolonged sitting more common, especially with increasing desk-based jobs, long commutes, and screen-based leisure. However, awareness of sedentary behavior as a risk factor during pregnancy remains limited, and antenatal counseling often emphasizes diet and clinical care more than movement patterns.
The World Health Organization’s 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour recommend that pregnant women without contraindications engage in regular moderate-intensity activity while minimizing prolonged sitting.
These recommendations align with broader evidence showing that excessive sitting is associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Clinically, these findings highlight the need to incorporate guidance on reducing sedentary time into routine antenatal care in African settings. Pregnant women should be encouraged to break up long periods of sitting with simple activities such as standing, stretching, or short walks. Even small, frequent movements throughout the day may provide meaningful benefits. These recommendations should always be individualized.
Women with high-risk pregnancies or specific medical conditions should consult healthcare providers before making changes to their activity levels. For most women, maintaining an active daily routine and reducing prolonged sitting is a safe and effective strategy for supporting a healthy pregnancy.
In conclusion, this study adds to growing evidence that how long a pregnant woman sits each day may be a pointer to possible adverse health outcomes. Reducing sedentary time and incorporating regular movement into daily life may offer a simple yet powerful approach to lowering the risk of pregnancy complications and improving outcomes for both mother and baby.
Source: Gibbs BB, Kim J, Gallagher J, et al. Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Sedentary Behavior, Light-Intensity Physical Activity, and Daily Steps. JAMA Open Network. Published Online: May 27, 2026. Doi: 10.1001/jama.2026.6986. Abstract available from here.
Related:
What Africans Need to Know about Antenatal Care
Social Factors Shaping African Women’s Health
Published: June 15, 2026.
© 2026. Datelinehealth Africa Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission is given to copy, use and share content for non-commercial purposes without alterations or modifications and subject to source attribution.
DATELINEHEALTH AFRICA INC., is a digital publisher for informational and educational purposes and does not offer personal medical care and advice. If you have a medical problem needing routine or emergency attention, call your doctor or local emergency services immediately, or visit the nearest emergency room or the nearest hospital. You should consult your professional healthcare provider before starting any nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical or wellness program mentioned or referenced in the DatelinehealthAfrica website. Click here for more disclaimer notice.
