Evaluation of Food Behaviour and Nutritional Status of Pregnant Women Resident in Keserwan

Abstract

Pregnancy, this particular moment in life of a woman, requires monitoring of eating behaviour changes. However food choices during pregnancy should be healthy, including consumption of different food groups, and nutritional status is process of acquisition and consumption of food. So a varied diet is associated with good nutritional status. This is why nutrition education is a strategy commonly applied to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the eating behaviour and nutritional status of pregnant women living in The purpose of this study is to evaluate feeding behaviour, nutritional status and level of awareness of pregnant women residing in Keserwan. A cross-sectional descriptive study is carried out, two main types of research instruments. A questionnaire containing socio-demographic, personal information, questions on eating behaviour, food frequency and nutritional education. As well as laboratory tests already done by pregnant women. The total sample surveyed included 150 pregnant women between ages of 18 and 40 years randomly selected from hospitals and clinics of Keserwan gynaecologists and allocated in an equitable manner between two regions chosen according to altitude. The final analysis led to results obtained 48.7% of pregnant women are aged 30 to 40 years, 56% have a normal BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, 80.7% have acceptable food behaviour, 68% have an acceptable level of awareness and half have an acceptable nutritional status. Thus, age affects eating behaviour, so more women that are pregnant are older plus they have good eating behaviour. It would be possible to institute an awarenessraising program in aim of increasing level of education of pregnant women with regard to eating behaviour and nutritional status.