Lifestyle and dietary habits according to extent and purpose of Brazilian pregnant women: Vigitel epidemiological survey

During pregnancy, food consumption is of utmost importance for the health of both the mother and the baby. A diet based on fresh and minimally processed foods, as opposed to ultra-processed foods, is essential to ensure health during pregnancy and postpartum. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between lifestyle habits and food consumption among pregnant Brazilian women. This is a cross-sectional study using data from pregnant women included in the Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance System via Telephone Survey (Vigitel) in 2021. Food consumption, considered the outcome variable, was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire, focusing on consumption from the previous day. The NOVA classification was used to categorize foods as fresh or ultra-processed. The Shapiro-Wilk test was conducted to verify normality, and the Pearson Chi-square test was applied. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. The sample consisted of 90 pregnant women. The analysis revealed a greater association with the consumption of ultra-processed foods among younger pregnant women compared to older age groups (p=0.020), as well as lower consumption of fresh foods (p=0.044). In conclusion, differences in food consumption were evident among pregnant women of different age groups. However, in order to understand the dietary patterns of pregnant women by regions of Brazil, it is necessary to conduct further studies to support programs aimed at the gestational period, reducing adverse effects and promoting maternal and child health

Macro and micronutrient intake during pregnancy: Evaluation according to maternal education and income

Pregnancy implies physiological and metabolic changes and changes in nutritional recommendations as well as in food habits and consumption. Considering all the factors that surround pregnancy, it is necessary to evaluate food intake during this period. The aim of this study was to investigate and identify whether sociodemographic factors such as education and income can influence the intake of macro and micronutrients by pregnant women. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 198 pregnant women living in the city of Lavras-MG. Sociodemographic, obstetric and habitual food intake data were collected. SPSS version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis, presented by descriptive statistics and ANOVA variance analysis test. The mean age of the pregnant women was 27 ± 5.98 years. Of these, 61.1% had 8 to 11 years of schooling and 49% had an income of 1 to 2 minimum wages. It was evidenced that pregnant women with lower educational level presented a higher intake of carbohydrates, potassium and vitamin B3. Pregnant women with higher income had higher intake of vitamin C, cholesterol and percentage of lipids, as well as lower percentage of carbohydrates (considering daily energy). On the other hand, pregnant women with lower income had a lower intake of monounsaturated fat and vitamin B12. We conclude that maternal education and income influence the intake of macro and micronutrients. It is extremely important to develop public policies aimed at efficient nutritional intervention during prenatal care, in order to promote maternal and child health

Relação entre ferro e folato dietético e a qualidade da dieta materna

  Introduction: During pregnancy, there are numerous changes that permeate a woman's life. Thus, it is essential to know the habits and patterns of food consumption in order to develop strategies that clarify the care and attention in an integrative way during pregnancy. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between maternal intake of dietary iron and folate and the Dietary Quality Index Adapted for Pregnant Women (IQDAG). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 198 pregnant women in the city of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.  Sociodemographic information was collected through a structured questionnaire and the obstetric and anthropometric data were obtained from the pregnant women's prenatal card. Dietary intake was estimated by reporting a usual day's diet of the women and the quality of the diet was assessed using the IQDAG. The Kruskal-Wallis statistical test was used for comparison of sociodemographic, obstetric and anthropometric characteristics, as well as for comparison of the mean values of dietary iron and folate intake in the different tercis of the IQDAG. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was 27 ± 5.98 years. Most women had complete high school education (48.5%); family income between 1 and 2 minimum wages (49.5%); had not planned pregnancy (62.6%) and were multiparous (55.3%). The mean IQDAG score was 62.32 ± 13.97. Pregnant women with higher iron and folate intake had higher IQDAG score (better diet quality) (r = 0.31; p < 0.001; r = 0.33; p < 0.001, respectively), even without the use of supplementation.  Conclusions: The IQDAG can be considered a useful tool in assessing the diet quality of pregnant women, regardless of the use of iron and folate supplements, because dietary intake of these nutrients was positively correlated with diet quality.Introdução: Durante a gestação, são inúmeras as mudanças que permeiam a vida da mulher. Desta forma é fundamental conhecer os hábitos e padrões de consumo alimentar, a fim de elaborar estratégias que elucidem o cuidado e atenção de forma integrativa no período gestacional. Objetivo: Avaliar a correlação entre ingestão materna de ferro e folato dietético e o Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Adaptado para Gestantes (IQDAG). Métodos: Estudo transversal conduzido com 198 gestantes adultas atendidas no município de Lavras - MG.  Foram coletadas informações sociodemográficas através de um questionário estruturado, e os dados obstétricos e antropométricos foram obtidos do cartão de pré-natal das gestantes. O consumo alimentar foi estimado por meio do relato de um dia habitual da dieta e a qualidade da dieta foi avaliada empregando-se o IQDAG. Utilizou-se o teste estatístico Kruskal-Wallis para comparação de características sociodemográficas, obstétricas e antropométricas, como também para a comparação dos valores médios de ingestão de ferro e folato dietético nos diferentes tercis do IQDAG. Resultados: A média de idade das gestantes foi de 27 anos±5,98. A maioria das mulheres apresentavam ensino médio completo (48,5%); renda familiar entre 1 e 2 salários mínimos (49,5%); não planejaram a gestação (62,6%) e era multípara (55,3%). O valor de pontuação média do IQDAG foi de 62,32±13,97. Gestantes com maior ingestão de ferro e folato apresentaram maior pontuação do IQDAG (melhor qualidade da dieta) (r= 0,31; p<0,001; r= 0,33; p<0,001, respectivamente), mesmo sem o uso da suplementação. Conclusões:  O IQDAG pode ser considerado uma ferramenta útil na avaliação da qualidade da dieta de gestantes, independente do uso de suplementos de ferro e folato, pois a ingestão dietética desses nutrientes foi positivamente correlacionada à qualidade da dieta