INTRODUCTION
Physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, high
blood pressure and high blood sugar are among the five
leading global risks for mortality in the world [1]. Ac-
cording to the World Health Organisation (WHO), de-
creased physical activity, fruit and vegetable consump-
tion and increased sugar and fat consumption are identi-
fied as major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases,
cancer, metabolic syndrome and obesity [2].
Women are at increased risk of weight gain during
their childbearing years and across the life span [3]. Ob-
esity during pregnancy, the perinatal and the postpartum
period has several negative consequences for the obese
woman. Some of these include gestational diabetes mel-
litus, pre-eclampsia, thromboembolic disease, postpar-
tum haemorrhage, spontaneous onset of labour and in-
creased risk of anaesthetic complications [4]. Maternal
obesity is associated with several major risks to the fetus,
such as congenital abnormalities, macrosomia and in-
creased risk of intrauterine death [5].
The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that
women (19 to 60 years) eat at least four to seven serves
of vegetables and legumes and three serves of fruit daily.
However, 96% of females aged 25 - 34 years and 94%
aged 35 - 44 years fail to meet these guidelines [6].
While women’s physical activity levels decrease signifi-
cantly after childbirth, due to life transitions that affect
their priorities and lifestyle, it often results in insufficient
daily levels of physical activity