A Comparison of Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors in Pregnant Women with Normal and Overweight Pre-Pregnancy BMI

Abstract

Background:Prenatal counseling by health care professionals on appropriate gestational weight gain, diet and exercise for women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy, are a crucial step towards childhood obesity prevention. This study aims to characterize nutritional behavior change, physical activity and dietary practices differences between women of healthy and overweight pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Methods:Eight pregnant women with healthy pre-pregnancy BMI<25 kg/m2 and five pregnant women with overweight pre-pregnancy BMI≥25 kg/m2 in their third trimester were recruited through midwives at prenatal appointments to complete a prenatal survey and food frequency questionnaire. Results:Food frequency questionnaire results revealed that women in the healthy pre-pregnancy BMI group had greater consumption of vitamin/mineral supplementation, fruits, and vegetables, dairy and herbal supplements. Intake of carbohydrate, dietary fiber, cholesterol, folate, carotene, riboflavin, calcium, and phosphorus, and vitamins A, E, C, B12 intake was greater than the overweight group; however, differences were not statistically significant in food and nutrient intake. The overweight BMI group consumed more saturated fat, discretionary fat, added sugars, non-whole grain, tomato , dark green vegetable servings and caffeine consumption than the women with a healthy BMI but not statistically different. Both groups reported their perceived physical activity level to be the same or somewhat more active compared to other pregnant women of similar age. Conclusions:Pre-pregnancy BMI≥25 kg/m2 women were less likely to follow recommendations from health care professionals or friends/relatives and could benefit from nutrition education and intervention.