Nutritional study among adolescent pregnant attending primary health care centers

Abstract

It was the goal of this study to examine the relationship between pregnant women's consumption of fruits, vegetables, and ultra-processed foods and their nutritional status. Analysis of data from a cohort study of pregnant women enrolled in prenatal care at a primary health care center in the urban area of Al Qyarah, Saudi Arabia Socioeconomic, obstetric, and maternal anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary data will be collected from October 2021 to January 2022. (obtained in the 1st clinical evaluation, between the 16th and 20th week of gestation, performed at the health unit). Serum concentrations of vitamin E, folic acid and beta-carotene, as well as pre-pregnancy body mass (BMI, kg/m2), were used to assess nutritional status. Anemia and vitamin A deficiency were also examined. Only 183 of the 860 pregnant women screened were found to be ineligible for the study, and 171 had subsequently dropped out. As a result, 506 pregnant women were included in the study, with 26% of them being adolescents (under the age of 20) and 44% being primigravidae. 15.4% of pregnant women had anemia, and 10.9% had vitamin A deficiency, both of which were found in the study.