Weight gain and dietary adequacy among pregnant women : a prospective study.

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a critical period during which proper maternal nutrition is a key factor influencing the health of both the child and mother. Unaddressed imbalances during this period have been linked to several health conditions like diabetes, strokes, heart failure and other NCDs in later stages of life and in some cases, complications in birth outcomes. Objectives: As part of the first longitudinal 3-year cohort study (MINA cohort) in the region, we aimed to assess the nutrient and food groups intake as well as gestational weight gain in Lebanese pregnant women throughout the entire gestation period. Methods: Lebanese pregnant women (152) were recruited during their first trimester (0-13 weeks of gestation) and interviewed by trained research dietitian once during each trimester at the OBGYN clinics of the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). Sociodemographic information, household food security data, anthropometric measurements as well as dietary intakes were recorded through multi-component questionnaires during each visit (V1: during 1st visit to the clinic, collecting data prior to pregnancy; V2: Collecting data during the 2nd visit, 2nd trimester; V3: Collecting data during the 3rd visit, the 3rd pregnancy trimester). Anthropometric assessments followed standard techniques, and the data collected were entered and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: All socio-demographic characteristics didn’t differ significantly in accordance of the weight gain adequacy except for the first child pregnancy by multiparous women were 23percent more likely to have adequate weight gain during pregnancy.[OR: 0.23*(0.059,0.890)]. Less than 50percent of the participants had gestational weight gain within the recommended values for BMI, while 16.7percent gained weight below the recommendations and 37.5percent gained weight above the recommended values. Prior to pregnancy, the average intake of Vitamin A (520.69±31.76), calcium (851.66±36.6) and iron (1