Maternal Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy and Their Association with Gestational Weight Gain and Nutrient Adequacy

Abstract

Several epidemiologic studies have shown an association between Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) and offspring complications. The GWG is directly linked to maternal dietary intake and women’s nutritional status during pregnancy. The aim of this study was (1) to assess, in a sample of Spanish pregnant women, the association between maternal dietary patterns and GWG and (2) to assess maternal dietary patterns and nutrient adequate intake according to GWG. A retrospective study was conducted in a sample of 503 adult pregnant women in five hospitals in Eastern Andalusia (Spain). Data on demographic characteristics, anthropometric values, and dietary intake were collected from clinical records by trained midwives. Usual food intake was gathered through a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and dietary patterns were obtained by principal component analysis. Nutrient adequacy was defined according to European dietary intake recommendations for pregnant women. Regression models adjusted by confounding factors were constructed to study the association between maternal dietary pattern and GWG, and maternal dietary patterns and nutritional adequacy. A negative association was found between GWG and the Mediterranean dietary pattern (crude β = −0.06, 95% CI: −0.11, −0.04). Independent of maternal dietary pattern, nutrient adequacy of dietary fiber, vitamin B9, D, E, and iodine was related to a Mediterranean dietary pattern (p < 0.05). A Mediterranean dietary pattern is related to lower GWG and better nutrient adequacy. The promotion of healthy dietary behavior consistent with the general advice promoted by the Mediterranean Diet (based on legumes, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and whole cereals) will offer healthful, sustainable, and practical strategies to control GWG and ensure adequate nutrient intake during pregnancy.

Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy and Gestational Weight Gain: A Systematic Review

“…In line with these findings, the study conducted by Suliga et al 6 showed that in women with excessive GWG, a lower adherence to the prudent pattern was noted in comparison with other participants in the study. The prudent pattern found in this study (high intake of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, sea fish, milk, and dairy products, and avoiding snacking between meals) is similar in terms of composition to the traditional pattern described by Wrottesley et al 22 In addition, Cano-Ibáñez et al 21 found moderate evidence for an association between the Mediterranean eating pattern, considered a healthy eating pattern (vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, and nuts) and lower GWG trajectories (0.06; 95%CI: -0.11--0.04) and better nutrient adequacy.…”

“…Dietary patterns are not exactly the same in studies; however, it is clear from published studies that certain dietary patterns like western/unhealthy, healthy/prudent/ Mediterranean, and traditional are often found. 24 The assessed studies were similar in the association of dietary patterns that shows higher caloric density 12,18,19,22,24 with greater chances of excessive GWG outcomes, as well as patterns presenting healthier and more traditional components 6,21,22 being associated with lower GWG.…”

Maternal Dietary Betaine Prevents High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Disorders and Gut Microbiota Alterations in Mouse Dams and Offspring From Young to Adult

“…Experimental research in animal models also showed that maternal high-fat diet (HF) during pregnancy and lactation predisposed offspring to metabolic disorders ( Zheng et al, 2014 ; Ribaroff et al, 2017 ). To reduce the burden of chronic disease in the next generation, management of maternal nutrient supplementation during pregnancy has been discovered to improve perinatal and offspring outcomes ( Mathews et al, 2001 ; Cano-Ibanez et al, 2020 ).…”

Mediterranean Diet for the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes in the Covid-19 Era: Implications of Il-6 In Diabesity

“…Several studies described an inverse association among GWG [ 141 ] and GDM [ 142 ] related to MedDiet, whereas adequacy of vitamins (B9, D, and E) and dietary fibre were related to the adherence to MedDiet during pregnancy [ 143 ]. GWG seems to be related to the intakes of added sugar, but not to saturated fat or protein.…”