Health behaviors of American pregnant women: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES 2007-2014.

Abstract

This study examined engagement in five health behaviors among pregnant women in the USA. Pregnant women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2014 were included in this study. Five health behaviors were examined: adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, prenatal multivitamin use, physical activity, sleep and smoking. Multivariable regressions were used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of characteristics associated with health behaviors. Among 248 pregnant women, only 10.2% engaged in all five health behaviors and 35.4% consumed adequate fruits and vegetables. For adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, Hispanic and women of 'other' race were more likely to meet the recommendation compared to non-Hispanic white (P=0.01 and P=0.03, respectively); high school graduates were less likely to meet the recommendation compared to those with at least some college education or more (P=0.04). Adequate fruit and vegetable consumption among pregnant women was poor and differed by race/ethnicity and education status. Because of the cross-sectional design, we cannot examine engagement in health behaviors continuously throughout pregnancy. Future research with longitudinal data over the course of pregnancy is needed to confirm these results.