Nutrients. 2026 Oct 20;18(20):3443. doi: 10.3390/nu18203443.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Postpartum lifestyle interventions may mitigate increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks following hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The study aimed to examine longitudinal changes in post-HDP lifestyle behaviors and women's perceptions towards healthy living.
METHODS: This study was a longitudinal sub-study of the 3-armed, multicenter Blood Pressure Postpartum (BP2) randomized controlled trial in post-HDP women, comprising different postpartum care/lifestyle intervention strategies 6-12 months postpartum and post-intervention observational follow-up to 3-4 years postpartum. The NSW Health Population Survey captured lifestyle variables 6-12 months postpartum. At 3-4 years post-HDP, the Australian Eating Survey and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were alternatively used for diet and physical activity, respectively. Linear mixed-effects models analyzed daily consumption of vegetables/fruit, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and perception scores of healthy living for motivators, barriers, and satisfaction.
RESULTS: In 180 participants, reported mean (SD) vegetable/fruit daily intake increased (vegetable servings/day: 2.6 (1.3), 6 months vs. 2.7 (1.4), 12 months vs. 4.2 (2.0), 3-4 years, p < 0.001; fruit servings/day: 1.7 (1.0), 6 months vs. 1.7 (1.0), 12 months vs. 2.2 (1.3), 3-4 years, p < 0.001), while accompanied by other unfavorable dietary changes. Reported median [IQR] MVPA increased (minutes/week, 330 [280], 6 months vs. 313 [331], 12 months vs. 515 [690], 3-4 years, p < 0.001). Motivators to engage in healthy behaviors decreased (p < 0.001), perceived barriers increased (p < 0.001), and satisfaction with diet and body appearance worsened over time (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, women reported higher intake of both health-promoting and less health-promoting foods and higher MVPA; however, different tools were used for lifestyle measurement. Worsening perceptions were observed using the same instrument.
PMID:42943015 | DOI:10.3390/nu18203443