Study design and participants
The present cross-sectional study forms part of the GEStation and
FITness (GESTAFIT) project, the methodology of which has been explained
in detail elsewhere14. A total of 384 pregnant women
were informed about the study during their first visit to a
gynaecologist at the hospital in the 12th week of
gestation (w.g.); 159 women who met the inclusion criteria were
eventually recruited to the study (Supplementary Table S1) . In
adherence to the CONSORT statement15, all provided
written, informed consent to be included. The broader GESTAFIT study
involved subjects taking part in an exercise program, or following their
normal lifestyle, thus requiring the present results be appropriately
adjusted (see below).