The physical activity patterns among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in, Pakistan.

Objectives: To determine the physical activity patterns among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in, Pakistan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted through questionnaire for a span of eight months (from 17th July, 2020 till 20th March, 2021) amongst pregnant women visiting Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for ante-natal visit including paramedical staff having 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. With the written consent of participants, the physical activity was assessed by a validated self-reported Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) having 32 questions to determine the duration; frequency, intensity and type of physical activity during pregnancy. Participants were asked to select the physical activity and time spent on it per day during the current gestational period. From the PPAQ, average weekly energy expenditure in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET-h-week) was calculated. Demographic data including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, parity, literacy and working status were recorded. Results: A Total of 229 participants of different ethnicities were enrolled. House hold and care giving type of activities of moderate to light intensity were commonly practiced by our pregnant women. Whereas multi gravida were involved in light physical activities. The Punjabi and Baluchi women mostly took occupational type of physical activities. Working women were physically more active than household women. Around 186 (80%) of the participants had no idea that they should take antenatal exercises during pregnancy. Conclusion: The study concluded that house hold and care giving type activities with moderate to light intensity were commonly carried by pregnant women. Majority of them had no knowledge of antenatal exercise.

Determinants of Vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic healthy young medical students.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine vitamin D status and frequency of its determinants related to diet, clothing, lifestyle and exposure to sunlight among young healthy medical students living in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: This cross sectional study included responses gathered on questionnaire from medical students of Karachi Medical &Dental College from 4th of August 2017 till 30th April 2018. All the participants were healthy young adult's year of age who gave written informed consent to participate in the study. Questions regarding demographics, sun exposure, diet, clothing, living patterns and any symptoms like pain or body aches were recorded. Serum 25 (OH) vitamin D3, calcium and phosphorus levels were measured through laboratory examination. For serum 25OHD, the cutoff values ≤ 20ng /ml, ≥ 21-29ng /ml, and ≥ 30ng/ml were defined as deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency respectively. RESULTS: Total number of medical students enrolled in the study was 221.Among total participants 191 (86.43%) were females and 30 (13.57%) were males. Mean ± SD age was almost similar (23.00 ± 2.56 vs. 23.03 ± 2.05). Majority of the females 115 (60.2%) had BMI within normal range, and were predominantly single 164 (85.9%). Vitamin D deficiency was found in 197 (89.14%), insufficiency in 16 (7.24%), and only 8 (3.62%) had sufficient levels. Determinant factors reported by deficient group (n=197); fabric color (dark mix) 87.3%, fabric material (synthetic + mix) 48.7%, full length of sleeves by 45.7%, exposure to sun only on hands and face during outdoors was reported by 64.5%, milk up to 250 cc was consumed by 77.2%, one egg per day in diet was taken by 56.9% and intake of cod liver oil was less common in only 27.4%. CONCLUSION: Deficiency of vitamin D is common among healthy young adults particularly females which emphasize need to add vitamin D supplements in their routine diet.

Post-partum follow-up of women with gestational diabetes mellitus: effectiveness, determinants, and barriers.

BACKGROUND: Despite the recommendations for postpartum blood glucose monitoring post gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); scientific evidence reveals that these recommendations may not be fully complied to. This study aimed to follow-up women up to 2 years post-delivery with pregnancies complicated by GDM and healthy controls to assess this fact. METHODS: Women with GDM (n = 78) and normal glucose tolerant (n = 89) delivered in 2014 were followed up for 2 years. They were informed and enquired via telephone about their blood glucose screening, physical activity, postpartum complications, and current weight status of mother and baby. RESULTS: Women with previous GDM were older and reported higher body weight 2 years post-delivery. At the 2 year follow-up, n = 11 (14.1%) participants had developed diabetes, all with previous GDM. Both weight at birth (3.8 ± 0.5 kg) and at 2-year (10.7 ± 2.3 kg) for the babies born to GDM mothers was significantly higher than the NGT group babies (2.6 ± 0.63 and 7.1 ± 1.4 kg; p < .05). Only 27 women regularly opted for T2DM screening via monitoring blood glucose or HbA1c levels postpartum. The top reason for failed screening included: believing that GDM would disappear after delivery, and being occupied with the baby. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of T2DM in women with previous GDM is an alarming finding. Given this trend, systematic follow-up programs are needed to reduce obesity and diabetes risk.