512 - Physical Activity in Adults Born Preterm with Very Low Birth Weight

Poster Number: 512
Publication Number: 512.1475

Background: Physical activity (PA) is closely related to health. Preterm birth with very low birth weight (VLBW≤1500g) is associated with adverse health outcomes in adulthood. Although previously published studies have found no difference in PA using accelerometers in adults born preterm with VLBW and at term, lower levels of PA have been self-reported in young adults born preterm with VLBW compared with controls.

Objective: To examine whether preterm birth with very low birth weight is associated with different PA categories assessed by accelerometers and self-report among adults.

Design/Methods: In a joint study of two Nordic birth cohorts: the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology Low Birth Weight Life, 135 VLBW adults (mean age 36.1, SD 3.2) and 156 term-born controls (mean age 35.7, SD 3.2) were assessed with accelerometers and/or self-report. PA was measured by two tri-axial accelerometers on the thigh and back for seven days and self-reported by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We used linear regression with daily metabolic equivalent of task (MET) minutes in different activity intensities as dependent variable and group (VLBW vs control) as fixed factor. Cohort, age and sex were entered as covariates.

Results: Background characteristics are presented in Table 1. Adults born preterm with VLBW had 40 (95% CI: 13 to 69) less MET minutes in moderate to vigorous PA compared with controls (Table 2). There was no significant difference in light PA between the groups (mean difference: -37, 95% CI: -94 to 18). Furthermore, the VLBW adults reported 89 (95% CI: 27 to 154) less daily MET minutes in moderate PA and 190 (95% CI: 52 to 322) less daily MET minutes in vigorous PA compared with controls (Table 2). No significant group differences were found for self-reported walking (mean difference: 78, 95% CI: -8 to 168). The results were unchanged when we excluded individuals with neurosensory impairment.

Conclusion(s): Adults born preterm with VLBW were less physically active in moderate and vigorous intensities compared with controls both measured by accelerometers and self-report. Considering the benefits of physical activity on health and our findings of less PA among VLBW adults, PA should be a target for intervention in this group.