Protein intake and weight gain among low-income pregnant women from Mesquita County, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of protein intake on body weight gain at pregnancy. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out with 297 women who delivered a child at the maternity ward of Municipal Hospital Leonel de Moura Brizola in Mesquita city in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire at first week after delivery. Food intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Protein intake per kilogram of body weight (g/kg per day) during pregnancy was categorized as high or low protein intake according to overall median levels. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was fitted to estimate the effect of protein intake per kg during pregnancy on weight gain. Results Women presented an average weight gain of 12.8kg (SD=6.34) and 26.8kg/m2 (SD=4.78) of Body Mass Index. Those who consumed a diet with high levels of protein content significantly presented less weight at postpartum (p<0.01) lower Early-Pregnancy Body Mass Index (p<0.01). In the hierarchical linear regression, it was found a negative association of protein intake per kg and Weight gain (b=-4.3025; IC95%=-6.0215; -2.5836; p<0.01). In the final model, all others covariates (energy, schooling, family income and gestational age) were significantly associated with the outcome (p<0.05). The additional model showed a negatively association between Early-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and weight gain (b=-0.2951; IC95%= -0.4987; -0.0915; p<0.01). Conclusion Higher levels of protein intake per kg of body weight during pregnancy were associated with lower weight gain.

Hubungan antara total asupan energi dan komponen makrontrien dengan penambahan berat badan ibu hamil di Kecamatan Pedurungan Kota Semarang

“…36 penambahan berat badan hamil yang mana semakin tinggi asupan protein per kg berat badan ibu hamil berhubungan dengan semakin rendahnya kenaikan berat badan ibu. 37 Pada penelitian ini, 71% responden tidak dapat mencukupi kebutuhan energinya, padahal 56,20% responden mengalami kenaikan berat badan dalam kategori lebih dan 33,7% dalam kategori normal. Hal ini menunjukkan kemungkinan adanya efisiensi metabolisme pada ibu hamil.…”

Can the pregnant woman's food intake be influenced by her clinical condition during pregnancy?

“…Besides, negative association between protein intake and gestational weight gain was observed. 27 In pregnancy, fats are important for fetus development and neuronal plasticity, for the growth and transport of fat-soluble vitamins. 1 A percentage of 28.2% energy from fat intake was found, reaching the recommendation of 20 to 35%.…”