Putting Knowledge into Practice—The Challenge of Acquiring Healthy Habits during Pregnancy

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge concerning gestational weight gain (GWG), nutrition, and physical exercise (PE) in pregnant women, and how to put them into practice. A cross-sectional study with 61 pregnant women above 26 weeks of gestation, at the Woman's Hospital, CAISM, University of Campinas. Questionnaires regarding the knowledge of healthy habits (HH) during pregnancy, sociodemographic data, and previous obstetric outcomes were applied. An educational guide with advice on HH during pregnancy and in the postpartum period was offered. The average age of women was 28.7 ± 6.23 years, with 85% of them being married; 32% nulliparous; the average body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy was 25.4 ± 9.8 kg/m Despite understanding the need for HH during pregnancy, women still need encouragement to practice PE during pregnancy, as well as more information about GWG. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os conhecimentos sobre ganho de peso gestacional (GPG), nutrição, e exercício físico (EF) em gestantes e o quanto elas os colocam em prática. MéTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado no Hospital da Mulher, CAISM, Unicamp, com 61 gestantes acima das 26 semanas gestacionais. Questionários sobre conhecimento de hábitos saudáveis (HS) durante a gestação, dados sociodemográficos, e antecedentes obstétricos foram aplicados. Um guia educacional com conselhos sobre HS durante a gravidez e período pós-parto foi oferecido. A idade média das mulheres foi de 28,7 ± 6,23 anos, sendo 85% casadas, 32% nulíparas, o índice de massa corporal (IMC) médio antes da gestação foi de 25,4 ± 9,8 kg/m