Barriers and self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity in pregnant women

Abstract

Introduction: Most pregnant women do not adhere to a healthy eating plan and physical activity; this is evident as the weeks of gestation increase. Objective: to determine the association of personal factors and perceived barriers with perceived self-efficacy for physical activity and healthy eating in pregnant women. Method: It was a design crosssecctional and descriptive, a sample of 222 participants. Were used Logistic linear regression models. Results: Age was associated with self-efficacy for physical activity and healthy eating. The number of pregnancies and trimester were associated with the self-efficacy of healthy eating. The types of physical activity barriers that are associated with self-efficacy to perform physical activity are: the environment, time, physical effort, and family discouragement. The barriers that are associated with self-efficacy for healthy eating are lack of time, expenses, difficulties in cooking healthy food and inconvenience. Conclusions: The barriers of physical activity and healthy eating impair the safety of future mothers to lead a healthy lifestyle.