Psychometric Properties of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale in Portuguese Pregnant Women.

The women were recruited as a convenience sample from public primary care clinics in Portugal, so the results may not apply to pregnant women in other settings or countries. The scale relies on self-report, so answers may not match observed behaviors. The final structure came from repeated exploratory analyses, not a separate confirmatory test. The study did not test whether using the scale changes care or improves maternal or fetal outcomes. Items about screen time, salt, and sleep were removed, so the Portuguese version is not a direct 15-item measure. The subscales mix diet, physical activity, and mental health items, so do not assume they measure separate domains.

The supplied text does not report author conflicts of interest or funding details, although the publication type lists research support from a non-U.S. government source.

Do not read this as proof that the questionnaire improves pregnant women's health behaviors or pregnancy outcomes. It tested how the questionnaire measured healthy lifestyle behaviors in 192 Portuguese pregnant women, and the final version used 12 items instead of the original 15.