Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo 2014 Volume 142, Issue 11-12, Pages: 695-702
https://doi.org/10.2298/SARH1412695P
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Adequate weight gain in pregnancy: An analysis of its determinants in a cross-sectional study
Popa Alina Delia (University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Gr. T. Popa”, Nursing Department, Iaşi, România)
Popescu Raluca Maria (University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Gr. T. Popa”, Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disease Department, Iaşi, România)
Botnariu Gina Eosefina (University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Gr. T. Popa”, Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disease Department, Iaşi, România)
Introduction. Prenatal care is considered an important tool for promoting a
healthy lifestyle, but has not been studied as a predictor for maternal
weight gain during pregnancy, especially in Romania, where evidence about
pregnancy and nutrition is scarce. Objective. This study has aimed to explore
the relationship between pre-gestational body mass index (BMI), adequacy of
prenatal care and weight gain during pregnancy. Methods. We carried a
cross-sectional study on a sample of 400 pregnant women admitted at the “Cuza
Voda” Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Iasi. Information regarding
demographic characteristics, number of prenatal visits, date of the initial
hospital record, nutritional education during pregnancy were registered
throughout a questionnaire filled out by means of a direct interview. The
anthropometric indicators analyzed were the pre-gestational BMI and the
pregnancy weight gain. Data on caloric intake were obtained using a food
frequency questionnaire. Results. Weight gain within the limits of the
Institute of Medicine recommendations was noticed at 44.35% of the women who
declared that they received nutritional advice compared to 40.7% of those who
did not receive advice regarding diet during pregnancy. Overweight (53.1%)
and obese women (66.7%) had a larger weight gain than those with a normal
pre-pregnancy BMI (29.8%) (p<0.001). The variables that were identified with
an effect on weight gain in this sample of pregnant women were: inadequate
prenatal care, pre-gestational BMI and energy intake. Conclusion. Identifying
the pre-gestational BMI and diet changes as predictors of weight gain
underline the importance of an individualized prenatal care.
Keywords: pregestational BMI, pregnancy weight gain, prenatal care, nutritional education