OBJECTIVES: to evaluate changes in the practice of physical activity (PA) and the barriers to adopting a healthy lifestyle among women who have received guidance on nutrition and PA during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth. METHODS: cohort study with 57 women (Control Group = 29 and Intervention Group = 28), and mean age 28 (±6) years. The information was obtained through home visit interviews (during intervention) and telephone interviews (one year after the end of intervention), using the PA questionnaire. To analyze the barriers a semi-structured interview with open questions was carried out, these being codified and grouped for data analysis. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests were carried out. RESULTS: at six months, only 30% of the women in the Intervention Group were practicing leisure-time PA at least 120 minutes per week, as opposed to 10% from the Control Group, decreasing to 18% and 4% respectively two years after giving birth. The principal barriers to practicing PA regularly were: lack of time (44%), taking care of children (37%), work (21%), domestic chores (21%) and laziness (26%). CONCLUSIONS: future programs should prioritize the acquisition of knowledge, with a view to adopting an active lifestyle after giving birth, considering the maternal barriers.
Pregnant women; Postpartum; Motor activity; Barriers; Motivation
