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Infographic: physical activity for pregnant women
  1. Ralph Smith1,
  2. Hamish Reid1,
  3. Anne Matthews1,
  4. Catherine Calderwood2,
  5. Marian Knight3,
  6. Charlie Foster4
  7. CMO Physical Activity Expert Committee for Physical Activity and Pregnancy
  1. 1 Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
  2. 2 Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, The Scottish Government, Edinburgh, UK
  3. 3 National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
  4. 4 Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, Bristol, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Ralph Smith, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, OX3 7LF UK; ralph.smith{at}doctors.org.uk

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Our recent BJSM editorial petitioned for ‘a time for action’ regarding physical activity (PA) and pregnancy guidance in the UK.1 We highlighted that despite pregnancy providing a unique opportunity to promote PA behaviour change,2 healthcare professionals (HPs) lack the confidence, knowledge and resources to deliver appropriate PA advice. They feel under-resourced, uncertain regarding safety concerns and inadequately trained.3 Consequently, despite being receptive to PA advice, pregnant women receive inconsistent, vague and conflicting guidance.4 These issues may contribute to reduced levels of PA during pregnancy, leaving few women meeting the recommended activity levels.5

The 2011 UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) PA recommendations led to the development of a series …

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