Nutritional habits and levels of physical activity during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period of women in Toledo (Spain): study protocol for a two-year prospective cohort study (the PrePaN study)

Abstract

Pregnant women who eat a balanced diet usually practice physical activity (PA) regularly; there are many studies on PA during pregnancy and the results for the mother and baby. However, the guideline for PA during pregnancy is very general and is not quantified. The primary objective of this study is to examine the nutritional habits and levels of PA of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Second, it will determine the effects of these aspects on the mother and newborn baby. Its third objective is to identify the factors which influence the practice of PA during this phase.