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What Do Pregnant Adolescents Believe About Nutrition During Pregnancy?
Author(s) -
Carruth Betty Ruth,
Skinner J.D.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
home economics research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 0046-7774
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x9202100102
Subject(s) - pregnancy , weight gain , medicine , psychology , environmental health , clinical psychology , family medicine , developmental psychology , body weight , endocrinology , genetics , biology
The study surveyed 115 pregnant adolescents to determine their beliefs about nutrition during pregnancy. They were recruited from schools, clinics, residential homes, and public health facilities in 35 counties in middle and eastern Tennessee. Personal interviews and a 26‐card game format were used to collect data. Participants read each belief from a card and attached it to a tack board indicating a response ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Responses were factor analyzed, and those factors with loadings of ≥ .50 and with eigenvalues of unity were retained and named for the major concepts present in the belief statements. Subsequently, dietary patterns of the participants were compared to belief statements that mentioned specific foods and current recommendations for pregnancy. Adolescents agreed with recommendations associated with milk consumption and weight gain during pregnancy. These responses were consistent with a calcium intake of 1317 mg ± 669 and a mean weight gain of 36.3 ± 16.1 pounds. Erroneous beliefs, such as the baby getting what it needs over maternal needs, also received “agree” responses. Results overall indicate that pregnant adolescents in this group needed counseling about salt restriction, maternal versus fetal needs, and use of vitamin supplements during pregnancy.