Rate of gestational weight gain associated with prepregnant BMI, diet quality and nutrition‐related behaviors during pregnancy

The new IOM guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy(GWG) specify ranges of weight gain for prepregnancy BMI(ppg‐BMI). DRIs call for quality diet during pregnancy specific for each trimester. We investigated GWG associated with ppg‐BMI, diet quality and nutrition‐related behaviors. Included were 246 pregnant women in NHANES 2005–06 with complete demographic, reproductive health, weight history and 2‐d dietary interview questionnaire. All statistical analyses performed by SAS 9.1 were applied with appropriate sample weights to account for the complex stratified national sampling design. The women were mostly 19–39 yrs of age (95%), at 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters (17%, 42% and 41%), from all race/ethnic groups both born in US and elsewhere (74% and 26%), ppg‐BMI of <18.5(UW), 18.5‐<25 (NL), 25‐<30 (OW), >30(OB) (4%, 55%, 25% and 16%), and with GWG rate below, at and above the IOM recommendations (47%, 18% and 35%). The % subjects whose GWG exceeded the IOM guidelines were higher in OW and OB than in NL group (50%, 48% vs. 27%, resp). Over 40% had intake below the DRIs for dietary fiber, vit E, vit B6, total folate, Ca, Mg, vit K, iron, K, and Fe with differences among ppg‐BMI groups (<0.05): Higher intake of dietary fiber, vit B12, and Mg in ppg‐BMI NL group, higher % energy from fat in OB, higher cholesterol and caffeine intake in OW group compared to other groups. Women with higher GWG reported checking total and saturated fat on food label, while those below GWG checked sugar and sodium on food labels. Our findings suggest poor quality of diet of pregnant women and urgent needs for nutrition education for pregnant women for both infants and mothers. Grant Funding Source : None