Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Depiction of Health 2008-9058 17 2 2026 06 20 Physical Activity and its Associated Factors in Pregnant Women in Khoy City in 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study 209 222 10.34172/doh.2026.16 EN Leili Abedi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2115-9777 Khadijeh Alizadeh https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8711-4831 Shagayeg Naghashian https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8738-5673 Sama Malekzadeh https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7077-3200 Mohammad Saadati https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3047-5624 Journal Article 10.34172/doh.2026.16 2025 09 18 2026 06 22 Background. Physical activity during pregnancy plays a crucial role in promoting maternal and fetal health; however, evidence indicates that the activity levels among pregnant women are often below those recommended by international guidelines. This study aimed to investigate physical activity levels and their determinants among pregnant women in Khoy, Iran, in 2024. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women beyond 12 weeks of gestation. The sample size was calculated as 226 using Cochran’s formula. Sampling was performed using a multistage, probability proportional to size (PPS) method. Data were collected via the Persian version of standardized Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Time spent on various activities was measured using Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) values. Data were analysed using SPSS version 24, employing both univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results. A total of 196 pregnant women participated in the study (86% response rate). The mean total physical activity was 43.68 ± 17.54 MET-hours/week. Among the subscales, household activities accounted for the largest proportion, of total activity, with a mean of 31.85 ± 14.09 MET-hours/week. The majority of participants (71.5%) engaged primarily in light-intensity and household activities. Multivariate regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between physical activity and gestational age, socioeconomic status, or parity (P > 0.05). Conclusion. The findings indicat that the predominant pattern of physical activity among pregnant women in Khoy is limited to household activity, primarily performed at light intensity. These results highlighted the urgent need for culturally tailored interventions and localized policies that consider regional resources and traditions to promote physical activity during pregnancy and prevent the adverse consequences associated with maternal inactivity. Research Insight · Physical activity among pregnant women in Khoy is predominantly characterized by light-intensity domestic tasks, with participation in structured exercise and leisure activities falling significantly below international clinical benchmarks. · With the exception of the highest socioeconomic bracket, demographic and obstetric factors show no significant correlation with activity levels; this suggests that sedentary behavior is a generalized pattern pervasive across nearly all subgroups of pregnant women. · Enhancing safe physical activity during pregnancy requires a multi-faceted approach, including targeted maternal education, family-based support systems, and proactive clinical counseling by physicians and midwives.