Impact of dietary counselling on nutrient intake during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of dietary counselling combined with the provision of food products on food and nutrient intake in pregnant women. We carried out a prospective cohort study of healthy and atopic pregnant women (n 209), who were randomized into dietary intervention and control groups. The intervention group received dietary counselling and food products to modify the fat composition of their diet to meet current recommendations. Three-day food records were collected during each trimester of pregnancy. Women in the intervention group consumed more vegetables, fruits, soft margarines and vegetable oils and less butter than those in the control group during the course of pregnancy (P<0.05). The main distinction between the groups in nutrient intake over the pregnancy was attributable to a higher energy intake (% energy) of PUFA by 0.5%energy (95% CI 0.1, 0.8) and to a lower intake of SFA by 0.8 % energy (95% CI -1.4, -0.4) in the intervention group. Dietary intake of vitamin E was 1.4 mg (95% CI 0.6, 2.2), folate 20.9 microg (95% CI 0.8, 41.0) and ascorbic acid 19.8 mg (95 % CI 3.5, 36.0) higher in the intervention group compared to the controls, while no differences in other nutrients were detected. Dietary counselling combined with the provision of food products during pregnancy is of importance in modifying food and nutrient intake, with potential health benefits.

A Comparison of Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors in Pregnant Women with Normal and Overweight Pre-Pregnancy BMI

“…This finding draws attention to the need for improved nutrition education and behavioral modification techniques to support a healthy lifestyle and prevent excess weight gain during pregnancy. Individualized dietary and exercise screening and counseling can change maternal dietary and physical activity behavior and yield improved results for maternal and child health [6,8,10]. Currently, prenatal nutrition counseling and dietary assessment services are not uniformly available and may not be covered by all medical insurance plans [1].The cost for implementing these programs widely is a challenge that has yet to be solved, though the need is evident.…”

“…The importance of dietary education during pregnancy is reflected by a study that found that 72% of pregnant women who had an 'unhealthy' dietary pattern early in pregnancy continued to eat the same way in their second trimester and 57% in the third trimester [6,7]. Food choices were shown to effectively change in pregnant women when they were provided with a combination of dietary counseling and healthy food products, as evidenced by increases in the number of servings of vegetables, fruits, soft margarines and vegetable oils and decreases in butter consumption [8]. As a result, dietary intake significantly improved by increasing nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, vitamin E, folate and ascorbic acid intake and decreasing saturated fatty acid intake [8].…”

“…Food choices were shown to effectively change in pregnant women when they were provided with a combination of dietary counseling and healthy food products, as evidenced by increases in the number of servings of vegetables, fruits, soft margarines and vegetable oils and decreases in butter consumption [8]. As a result, dietary intake significantly improved by increasing nutrients such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, vitamin E, folate and ascorbic acid intake and decreasing saturated fatty acid intake [8]. The combination of dietary counseling and administration of healthy food products has the potential to promote a healthy weight gain if continued throughout the pregnancy.…”

Impact of maternal diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding on infant metabolic programming: a prospective randomized controlled study

“…From our prospective study, we have thus far learned that by modifying the dietary intake of fat and fibre by detailed dietary counselling and by the provision of appropriate food products combined with probiotics, we are not only improving the quality of the maternal diet (Piirainen et al, 2006) but also the maternal glucose metabolism up to 1 year after pregnancy (Laitinen et al, 2009). In the present study, the risk reduction in infants' high 32-33 split proinsulin concentration was already detected at the age of 6 months, although, the intervention did not influence the infants' adiposity measurements or leptin/adiponectin ratio.…”

Percepción de embarazadas y matronas acerca de los consejos nutricionales durante la gestación

“…Todo estos factores pueden aumentar el riesgo de complicaciones perinatales debido a un estado de malnutrición (1,6,7). Existen estudios que demuestran que las recomendaciones dietéticas que se entregan en la consulta de la matrona, junto con las modificaciones en el estilo de vida que la embarazada llegue a implementar en el periodo gestacional, son intervenciones efectivas para mejorar el metabolismo materno y prevenir las complicaciones del embarazo, especialmente en mujeres embarazadas con déficit nutricional o con aumento de peso (8,9). Además, a toda gestante se debe le recomendar la práctica diaria de actividad física, siempre que no exista una contraindicación clara para ello.…”