Weight gain related to dietary practice in pregnant women at a maternity and childcare center

Abstract

Introduction: Food practices constitute one of the most important axes for fetal-maternal well-being that prevents poor and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Objective: To determine the relationship between weight gain and eating practices of pregnant women treated in a first-level care establishment. Methods: Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study carried out in a non-random sample of 134 pregnant women who attended from January to February 2020. A data collection sheet and a previously validated questionnaire were extracted using the observation technique. documentary and survey, respectively. Frequencies and percentages were estimated. A chi-square test was applied with a confidence level of 95%. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was 25.7 years. 56.7% of the patients began their pregnancy with a normal nutritional status, 37.3% overweight, 3.7% obese, and 2.2% thin. 44.8%, 37.3%, and 17.9% of patients had poor, excessive, and adequate gestational weight gain, respectively. Likewise, 59% of the patients had moderately adequate eating practices, 24.6% adequate practices, and 16.4% inadequate practices. A significant association was found between gestational weight gain and feeding practices (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Weight gain during pregnancy is associated with the eating practices that pregnant women have during this period.

Keywords

• ganancia de peso gestacional
• conducta alimentaria
• estado nutricional
• embarazo.