| Abstract [eng] |
Relevance of the topic. Research shows that pregnancy correlates with lifestyle changes, but a larger proportion of studies show that a small proportion of pregnant women change their lifestyles, and that even if they try to adhere to the recommendations for a healthier lifestyle, they encounter a number of barriers. Objective. To assess the lifestyle characteristics of pregnant women and their determinants. Tasks. To assess, in the context of social, demographic and health-related factors, the characteristics of pregnant women's lifestyles (1), the changes in women's lifestyles before and during pregnancy (2), and the barriers to adherence to the recommendations for a healthy lifestyle for pregnant women (3). Material and methods. The sample consisted of 203 pregnant women. The anonymous questionnaire consisted of 41 questions on lifestyle characteristics, covering diet, physical activity, mental health and harmful habits, and reasons for non-adherence to the recommendations of the Healthy Lifestyle Guidelines. Results. 63.1% of all pregnant women, a higher proportion of those with reduced body weight, do not follow the recommended number of main meals per day (p<0.05). A higher proportion of overweight or obese pregnant women with altered body mass do not follow physical activity recommendations (p<0.05). 38.9% of women with increased body mass, were more likely to feel depressed and slowed down during pregnancy compared with before pregnancy (p<0.05). The majority of normal-weight pregnant women with weight gain during pregnancy did not engage in leisure-time physical activity due to lack of motivation or time (p<0.05). Conclusions. One third of overweight or obese pregnant women do not follow dietary and two thirds physical activity recommendations. One in two pregnant women has a poor psychological state. One in five pregnant women smokes, one in seven consumes alcoholic beverages, with a higher prevalence in lower-income pregnant women (1). More than two-fifths have reduced their consumption of fruit and one-fifth of dairy and cereal products during pregnancy compared with before pregnancy. A higher proportion of pregnant women in the later trimesters are plagued by anxious thoughts and worries (2). Two thirds of pregnant women make food choices based on their health effects. Three quarters of pregnant women lack the motivation or time to engage in physical activity during pregnancy. New responsibilities and changes are the most common factors causing stress and anxiety during pregnancy. Two thirds of pregnant women smoke and consume alcoholic beverages to relieve stress or because of external body changes (3). Keywords. Lifestyle characteristics of pregnant women, lifestyle changes, lifestyle barriers. |
