Relationship between Sociodemographics, Dietary Intake , Activities of Daily Living and Gestational Weight among Pregnant women in a Rural Areal

Several epidemiologic studies have shown an association between Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) and offspring complications. The GWG is directly linked to maternal dietary intake and women’s nutritional status during pregnancy. The aim of this study was (1) to assess, in a sample of Spanish pregnant women, the association between maternal dietary patterns and GWG and (2) to assess maternal dietary patterns and nutrient adequate intake according to GWG. A retrospective study was conducted in a sample of 503 adult pregnant women in five hospitals in Eastern Andalusia (Spain). Data on demographic characteristics, anthropometric values, and dietary intake were collected from clinical records by trained midwives. Usual food intake was gathered through a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and dietary patterns were obtained by principal component analysis. Nutrient adequacy was defined according to European dietary intake recommendations for pregnant women. Regression models adjusted by confounding factors were constructed to study the association between maternal dietary pattern and GWG, and maternal dietary patterns and nutritional adequacy. A negative association was found between GWG and the Mediterranean dietary pattern (crude β = −0.06, 95% CI: −0.11, −0.04). Independent of maternal dietary pattern, nutrient adequacy of dietary fiber, vitamin B9, D, E, and iodine was related to a Mediterranean dietary pattern (p < 0.05). A Mediterranean dietary pattern is related to lower GWG and better nutrient adequacy. The promotion of healthy dietary behavior consistent with the general advice promoted by the Mediterranean Diet (based on legumes, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and whole cereals) will offer healthful, sustainable, and practical strategies to control GWG and ensure adequate nutrient intake during pregnancy.

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Nutritional status and dietary intake of pregnant women

Revista de Salud Pública ◽

10.15446/rsap.v22n1.72795 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Fernanda Scherer-Adami ◽

Michele Dutra-Rosolen ◽

Francieli Schedler ◽

Ioná Carreno ◽

Mabel N. Alves

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infant Outcomes ◽

Gestational Weight ◽

Status Assessment ◽

Gestational Week

Objective To evaluate weight gain during pregnancy according to the pregestational state in women who underwent prenatal care in Primary Health Care.Methods A cross-sectional study with the participation of 255 pregnant women. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. Women were evaluated for nutritional status and dietary intake. Data related to the age of the pregnant woman, gestational week, current weight, pregestational weight, and height were obtained from the prenatal follow-up form. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for statistical analysis.Results Pregestational nutritional status assessment showed that 43.2% (n=110) of the women started gestation with overweight and 4.3% (n=11) started with low weight. 51% percent (n=130) gained gestational weight above the recommended level. The mean age of women with pregestational BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² was significantly higher than that of those with BMI <25 kg/m² (p<0.001). Total energy (p=0.037) and calcium (p=0.004) intake were higher in women with weight gain above the recommended.Discussion The results presented highlight the importance of strategies in public health to avoid excess weight gain during pregnancy.Conclusion Pregnant women presented a gestational weight gain above the recommended maximum value according to pregestational BMI, which may contribute to adverse maternal and infant outcomes.

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