Dietary and Nutrient Intake, Eating Habits, and Its Association with Maternal Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring’s Birth Weight in Pregnant Adolescents

Abstract

Pregnant adolescents’ diet and eating habits are inadequate; however, their association with gestational weight gain (GWG) is uncertain. We aimed to analyze whether there is an association between dietary and nutrient intake and eating habits with GWG among pregnant adolescents and their offspring’s birth weight. A longitudinal study was performed with 530 participants. We assessed GWG and applied several tools, such as a food frequency questionnaire and 24-h recall, to obtain dietary and nutrient intake and eating habits. The birth weight of adolescents’ offspring was registered. Later, we performed crude and adjusted Poisson models. The mean age was 15.8 ± 1.3 years. Of all food groups, the lowest frequency of adequate intake corresponded to vegetables (7%) and legumes (10.2%). Excessive (36.8%) and insufficient (40.9%) GWG were observed. Pregnant adolescents with inadequate legumes intake increased the probability of excessive GWG: (PR 1.86 95% CI 1.00–3.44). Cereals and grains were positively associated with GWG: (PR 1.65, 95% CI 1.18–2.29). Energy, macronutrient intake, and eating habits were not associated with GWG. Offspring’s small gestational age (SGA) increased when pregnant adolescents had inadequate sugar-sweetened beverages intake: PR (1.58, 95% CI 1.01–2.49) and when pregnant adolescent watched television (TV). In our sample of Mexican adolescents, dietary and nutrient intake and eating habits were inadequate. Excessive dietary intake from cereals, grains, and animal-sourced foods along with insufficient legumes were associated with excessive GWG. Watching TV while adolescents ate was associated with the birth weight of the offspring.

Serum Folate, Red Blood Cell Folate, and Zinc Serum Levels Are Related with Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring’s Birth-Weight of Adolescent Mothers

“…Therefore, it is considered that the majority of pregnant adolescents do not reach the recommended levels of intake for macronutrients and micronutrients. This trend is consistent with findings from other studies, particularly in developing countries [ 7 , 10 , 14 ].…”

“…It has been shown that inadequate gestational weight gain in pregnant adolescents is a consequence of poor eating habits, which are very common during adolescence. These habits often include diets rich in carbohydrates and saturated fats, misconceptions about nutrition during pregnancy, delayed or insufficient prenatal care, depression, economic constraints, and inadequate intake of nutritional supplements such as iron and folic acid [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…For example, in a study by Baker et al [ 18 ] in the United Kingdom, which included 500 pregnant adolescents, iron and folate intake was found to be below the recommendations established by the United Kingdom and the United States. Moreover, 52% of the adolescents had iron deficiency anemia, and 30% had serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D below 25 nmol/L, compromising both adequate gestational weight gain and the weight and development of the newborn [ 7 , 25 ]. Folate and zinc play a critical role in fetal growth and development, as demonstrated in adult pregnant women.…”