Overweight and Obesity Associates With Diet Quality in Mothers of Newborn Babies

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate whether diet quality differs in women with normal weight (nw) and overweight or obesity (ow/ob) one month after delivery.MethodsData was collected with online questionnaires from early pregnancy until one month postpartum from a representative sample of women across Finland. Postpartum data (mean of 6.8 ± 1.9 weeks after delivery) was used in this study. Diet quality was measured with validated index of diet quality (IDQ, total score 0–15, scores ≥ 10 indicate good diet quality). In addition, IDQ components were evaluated by comparing to Finnish dietary recommendations. Ow/ob status was determined based on pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI, ≥25 kg/m2) calculated from self-reported weight and height.ResultsOf the women, 96% (331/346) were breastfeeding and 32% had ow/ob. Good diet quality was observed in 49% of the women. The IDQ scores were lower in ow/ob women compared to nw women (8.9 ± 2.3 and 9.6 ± 2.1 respectively, p = 0.006). Considering the IDQ components, the proportion of ow/ob women consuming vegetables, fruit and berries ≥ 5 servings/day was lower than that of nw women (28% and 40% respectively, p = 0.041). Moreover, ow/ob women were less likely to consume fruit and berries (41% and 62% respectively, P < 0.001) and whole grain products daily compared to nw women (63% and 76% respectively, p = 0.015). No differences in the consumption of vegetables daily, fish ≥ 2 servings/week and vegetable-oil based spread on bread as well as having a regular meal pattern (skipping ≤ 2 main meals/week) were seen between nw and ow/ob women.ConclusionsOnly half of the women had good diet quality in this population of mainly breastfeeding women. The diet quality score of ow/ob women was lower and they consumed health-promoting foods less likely compared to nw women. Health-promoting diet of breastfeeding women is of vast importance considering impacts on breast milk composition as well as prevention of chronic lifestyle-related conditions including type 2 diabetes.Funding SourcesThis material is based upon work supported by Business Finland. Personal support for EK from the Diabetes Research Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation (Varsinais-Suomi Regional Fund), the Jalmari and Rauha Ahokas Foundation and the Juho Vainio Foundation.