Table 3.
Frequency distribution of responses for lifestyle practices of postpartum women
| Lifestyle-related behaviour | Responses on Likert Scale | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Lowest score) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 (Highest score) | |
| Dietary habits | |||||
| aConsumption of regular meals (Three major and two–three minor meals) | 51(10.1) | 39(7.7) | 166(26.3) | 129(25.5) | 120(23.8) |
| aConsumption of protein-rich foods in the daily diet | 35(6.9) | 46(9.2) | 173(34.3) | 130(25.5) | 121(23.9) |
| aConsumption of 4–5 servings of fruits and vegetables in daily diet | 84(16.6) | 78(15.4) | 180(35.6) | 89(17.6) | 74(14.6) |
| aConsumption of HFSS (high fat, sugar, and salt) food products | 95(18.8) | 156(30.9) | 118(23.3) | 75(14.8) | 61(12.08) |
| Physical activity | |||||
| bParticipation in daily household chores | 57(11.3) | 5(0.9) | 26(51.1) | 37(7.4) | 300(75.3) |
| cParticipation in low-intensity exercises | 360(71.3) | 50(9.9) | 74(14.7) | 11(2.2) | 10(1.9) |
| cParticipation in moderate-intensity exercises | 446(88.4) | 27(5.4) | 22(4.4) | 5(0.9) | 5(0.9) |
| dTime spent in sedentary activities | 138(27.4) | 115(22.8) | 222(24.2) | 98(19.5) | 32(6.4) |
| Sleep | |||||
| eQuantity of Sleep | 142(28.8) | 268 (53.1) | 95 (18.9) | – | – |
| fQuality of Sleep | 13(2.6) | 81(16.1) | 197(39.1) | 193(38.3) | 21(4.2) |
| gChildcare Support at night | 73(14.5) | 85(16.9) | 178(35.3) | 127(25.2) | 42(8.4) |
| Healthy eating barriers | |||||
| hIncreased intake due to breastfeeding | 195(38.7) | 187(37.1) | 12(2.4) | 99(19.6) | 12(2.4) |
| hInsufficient knowledge about dietary habits to be followed in postpartum | 107(21.2) | 236(46.8) | 17(5.4) | 118(23.4) | 17(3.4) |
| hInability to make conscious dietary efforts for weight loss | 90(17.9) | 272(53.9) | 51(9.0) | 93(18.5) | 23(4.5) |
| hLack of time due to childcare and family responsibilities | 138(27.4) | 206(40.8) | 9(1.8) | 117(23.2) | 35(6.9) |
| hMismatched eating habits of the family | 60(11.9) | 184(36.4) | 10(1.9) | 155(30.6) | 96(19.1) |
| hBound to eat high-calorie food due to family advice | 75(14.9) | 136(26.9) | 19(3.8) | 192(38.1) | 83(16.5) |
| hOvereating due to stress, anxiety or to just feel better | 62(12.3) | 65(12.9) | 15(2.9) | 26.5(52.5) | 98(19.5) |
| Physical activity barriers | |||||
| hInsufficient knowledge about physical activities to be done in this period | 167(33.1) | 239(47.4) | 9(1.8) | 76(15.0) | 14(2 |
| hInability to make conscious efforts for physical activity | 114(22.6) | 279(55.3) | 26(5.2) | 67(13.3) | 19(3.8) |
| hUnable to engage due to body pain/ backache, etc. | 91(18.1) | 225(44.6) | 17(3.4) | 118(23.4) | 54(10.7) |
| hLack of time due to childcare and family responsibilities | 146(28.9) | 244(48.4) | 10(1.9) | 75(14.9) | 30(5.1) |
| hLack of social support for physical activity | 39(7.8) | 51(10.1) | 8(1.6) | 286(56.7) | 121(23.9) |
| hLack of parks or gyms | 36(7.2) | 26(5.6) | 6(1.2) | 289(57.3) | 148(29.4) |
| Myths | |||||
| hOvereating helps in providing adequate nutrition to child | 124(24.6) | 124(24.6) | 16(3.1) | 215(42.5) | 26(5.2) |
| hExcessive galactagogue consumption during the first 40 days post-pregnancy leads to higher milk formation | 164(32.5) | 195(38.6) | 29(5.8) | 104(20.6) | 13(2.6) |
| hReducing calories in diet may lead to reduced milk production | 133(26.4) | 228(45.2) | 40(7.9) | 86(17.1) | 18(3.5) |
| hConsumption of excessive ghee in the last trimester of pregnancy | 119(23.6) | 99(19.6) | 14(2.8) | 231(45.9) | 42(8.4) |
| hPhysical activity may affect the breast milk composition | 85(16.9) | 31(6.2) | 75(14.9) | 231(45.8) | 83(16.5) |
| hBreastfeeding will automatically help in weight loss | 146(28.9) | 152(30.2) | 50(18) | 137(27.2) | 20(3.9) |
| h40-day rest after delivery is essential | 213(42.2) | 156(30.8) | 18(3.6) | 112(22.2) | 6(1.3) |
a1(not routinely), 2(one to two times per week), 3(three to four times a week), 4(five to six times a week), (5daily)
b1(not routinely), 2(1–2 days a week), 3(3–4 days a week), 4(5–6 days a week), 5(almost daily)
c1(not at all), 2(up to 15 min), 3(15–30 min), 3(30–45 min), 4(45 min or more)
d1(less than 2 h), 2(2–4 h), 3(4–6 h), 4(6–8 h), 5(more than 8 h)
e1(< 5 h), 2(5–7 h), 3(> 7 h)
f 1(excellent), 2(good), 3(average), 4(poor), 5(very poor)
g 1(always), 2(mostly), 3(sometimes), 4(rarely), 5(never)
h 1(strongly agree), 2(agree), 3(neither agree nor disagree), 4(disagree), 5(strongly disagree)