Does Intention to Become Pregnant Influence Health Behaviors in Women of Reproductive Age During the Preconception Period? Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

Sheree Spiteri; Megan Teychenne; Judi Porter; Wendy J Brown; Paige van der Pligt’s

doi:10.1080/23293691.2026.2637757

Does Intention to Become Pregnant Influence Health Behaviors in Women of Reproductive Age During the Preconception Period? Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

Sheree Spiteri^*
, Megan Teychenne
, Judi Porter
, Wendy J Brown
, Paige van der Pligt’s

^*Corresponding author for this work

Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Preconception health influences the risk of pregnancy-related complications, subsequently impacting the short- and long-term health of women. This study assessed pregnancy intention and the preconception health of Australian women. Using cross-sectional data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, regression analyses found that the intention to become pregnant was significantly associated with higher body mass index (BMI). There was ‘No association was found between pregnancy intention and meeting recommendations for fruit, vegetables, or physical activity. The intention to become pregnant does not foster optimal health behaviors among young Australian women.

Original language	English
Journal	Women's Reproductive Health
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2637757
Publication status	Published - 23 Mar 2026

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10.1080/23293691.2026.2637757Licence: CC BY

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title = "Does Intention to Become Pregnant Influence Health Behaviors in Women of Reproductive Age During the Preconception Period? Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women{\textquoteright}s Health",

abstract = "Preconception health influences the risk of pregnancy-related complications, subsequently impacting the short- and long-term health of women. This study assessed pregnancy intention and the preconception health of Australian women. Using cross-sectional data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women{\textquoteright}s Health, regression analyses found that the intention to become pregnant was significantly associated with higher body mass index (BMI). There was {\textquoteleft}No association was found between pregnancy intention and meeting recommendations for fruit, vegetables, or physical activity. The intention to become pregnant does not foster optimal health behaviors among young Australian women.",

author = "Sheree Spiteri and Megan Teychenne and Judi Porter and Brown, \{Wendy J\} and \{van der Pligt{\textquoteright}s\}, Paige",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor \& Francis Group, LLC.",

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doi = "10.1080/23293691.2026.2637757",

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Does Intention to Become Pregnant Influence Health Behaviors in Women of Reproductive Age During the Preconception Period? Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. / Spiteri, Sheree; Teychenne, Megan; Porter, Judi et al.
In: Women's Reproductive Health, 23.03.2026.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

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AU - Spiteri, Sheree

AU - Teychenne, Megan

AU - Porter, Judi

AU - Brown, Wendy J

AU - van der Pligt’s, Paige

PY - 2026/3/23

Y1 - 2026/3/23

N2 - Preconception health influences the risk of pregnancy-related complications, subsequently impacting the short- and long-term health of women. This study assessed pregnancy intention and the preconception health of Australian women. Using cross-sectional data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, regression analyses found that the intention to become pregnant was significantly associated with higher body mass index (BMI). There was ‘No association was found between pregnancy intention and meeting recommendations for fruit, vegetables, or physical activity. The intention to become pregnant does not foster optimal health behaviors among young Australian women.

AB - Preconception health influences the risk of pregnancy-related complications, subsequently impacting the short- and long-term health of women. This study assessed pregnancy intention and the preconception health of Australian women. Using cross-sectional data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, regression analyses found that the intention to become pregnant was significantly associated with higher body mass index (BMI). There was ‘No association was found between pregnancy intention and meeting recommendations for fruit, vegetables, or physical activity. The intention to become pregnant does not foster optimal health behaviors among young Australian women.

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Does Intention to Become Pregnant Influence Health Behaviors in Women of Reproductive Age During the Preconception Period? Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

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Does Intention to Become Pregnant Influence Health Behaviors in Women of Reproductive Age During the Preconception Period? Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

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Correction: Does Intention to Become Pregnant Influence Health Behaviors in Women of Reproductive Age During the Preconception Period? Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

Cite this