Physical activity during pregnancy has been shown to have numerous benefits for both the mother and the developing fetus.

Exercise can help maintain a healthy weight gain during pregnancy, reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, and improve cardiovascular health. But what about the long-term benefits of maternal exercise on the baby’s metabolic health? Here are some of the ways maternal exercise can positively impact a baby’s metabolic health.

Improving Insulin Sensitivity

Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Maternal exercise has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in mothers with gestational diabetes, which can help reduce the risk of the condition being passed on to the baby. Studies have also shown that maternal exercise can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in healthy pregnancies, which may reduce the risk of the baby developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Reducing Fat Accumulation

Maternal exercise can also help reduce fat accumulation in the developing fetus. High levels of fat accumulation in utero can increase the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders in later life.

Studies have shown that maternal exercise can reduce both the amount of fat accumulated in the fetus and the rate of growth of fetal fat cells.

Influencing Gene Expression

Maternal exercise has been shown to influence gene expression in the developing fetus, including genes related to metabolism.

Studies in animals have shown that maternal exercise during pregnancy can improve glucose tolerance and reduce the risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes in offspring.

Reducing Inflammation

Inflammation can play a role in the development of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Maternal exercise has been shown to reduce systemic inflammation in both the mother and the developing fetus, which may have long-term benefits for the baby’s metabolic health.

Improving Cardiovascular Health

The developing fetus relies on the mother’s cardiovascular system for oxygen and nutrients. Maternal exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular health in both the mother and the developing fetus.

Studies have shown that babies born to mothers who exercised during pregnancy have better cardiovascular functioning and lower resting heart rates than babies born to sedentary mothers.

Reducing the Risk of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight

Preterm birth and low birth weight are both risk factors for metabolic disorders later in life. Maternal exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

Studies have also shown that babies born to mothers who exercise during pregnancy have lower birth weight variance, which may have long-term benefits for metabolic health.

Boosting Brain Health

Exercise during pregnancy may also have benefits for the developing brain. Studies have shown that maternal exercise can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring.

Creating Healthy Habits

Finally, maternal exercise can help create healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Children of active mothers are more likely to be physically active themselves, which can help reduce the risk of developing metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes later in life.

Conclusion

Maternal exercise during pregnancy can have numerous benefits for both mother and baby. In terms of metabolic health, exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce fat accumulation, and influence gene expression, among other benefits.

By adopting healthy habits during pregnancy, mothers can set their babies up for a lifetime of good metabolic health.