Influence of Perceived Benefits and Barriers on Pregnant Women's Intention to Adhere to a Healthy Diet: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to examine how perceived benefits and barriers affect pregnant women’s behavioral intention to adhere to a healthy diet. Additionally, it assessed differences in behavioral intention based on age, education level, monthly income, and socioeconomic class.

Methods and Materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2024 to March 2025 across eight primary healthcare centers in Baqubah City, Iraq. A purposive sample of 390 pregnant women aged 18–40 years was selected. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic information, a perceived benefits scale, a perceived barriers scale, and a behavioral intention scale. Validity was confirmed by expert panel review. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, including stepwise regression and ANOVA.

Findings: Perceived benefits significantly predicted a positive intention to follow a healthy diet during pregnancy (β = .229, p < .001), while perceived barriers had a significant negative influence (β = –.241, p < .001). Significant differences in behavioral intention were found between groups based on age (p = .002), education level (p < .001), and socioeconomic class (p = .025). No significant differences were observed based on family monthly income (p = .095).

Conclusion: Pregnant women’s intention to adhere to a healthy diet is positively influenced by perceived benefits and negatively affected by perceived barriers. Demographic factors such as age, education, and socioeconomic class significantly shape dietary behavior during pregnancy.