SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION DURING PREGNANCY, EXERCISE/PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to describe the symptoms of depression during pregnancy and their association with exercise/physical activity and sociodemographic factors. It followed PRISMA recommendations and was registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF). Eligibility criteria followed the PECO design where P represents pregnant individuals, E refers to exercise/physical activity and sociodemographic factors, C involves the practice of exercise/physical activity and non-exposure to sociodemographic factors, leading to the research question: 'What is the association between depressive symptoms during pregnancy, the practice of exercise/physical activity, and sociodemographic factors?' Studies in English or Portuguese, observational, up to April 2023 were included. Information sources included MEDLINE (Pubmed), Scopus, LILACS, and Cochrane. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Eighteen studies were included, with 15 of them showing an improvement in depressive symptoms associated with the practice of exercise/physical activity and favorable sociodemographic factors. Thirteen (72.22%) were of good quality, four (22.22%) of reasonable quality, and one (5.55%) of poor quality. The main findings lead to the conclusion that depressive symptoms were present in sedentary pregnant individuals, and sociodemographic factors acted as moderators of exercise/physical activity practice.