Sociodemographic characteristics determine dietary pattern adherence during pregnancy

Objective: Sociodemographic factors may affect adherence to specific dietary patterns during pregnancy. The present study aimed to identify dietary patterns during pregnancy and associated factors among Brazilian pregnant women. Design: A cross-sectional analysis. Dietary intake was evaluated with a semi-quantitative FFQ during the first postpartum week; the time frame included the second and third gestational trimesters. Principal component analysis was used to identify dietary patterns during pregnancy. Sociodemographic data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions were applied to test the associations between the sociodemographic factors and dietary patterns. Setting: Mesquita, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2011. Subjects: Postpartum women (n 327) who were 18-45 years of age and Mesquita residents. Results: Three different dietary patterns were identified: 'healthy' (mainly comprising legumes, vegetables and fruits), 'mixed' (mainly comprising candy, butter and margarine, and snacks) and 'traditional' (mainly comprising beans and rice). Women with a higher monthly per capita family income (beta=0.0006; 95 % CI 0.0001, 0.001; P=0.011) and women of older age (beta=0.021; 95 % CI -0.001, 0.042; P=0.058) were more likely to adhere to the 'healthy' dietary pattern. Women with higher parity were less likely to adhere to the 'healthy' pattern (beta=-0.097; 95 % CI -0.184, -0.009; P=0.030) and were more likely to adhere to the 'traditional' pattern (beta=0.098; 95 % CI 0.021, 0.175; P=0.012). Although not statistically significant, older women were less likely to adhere to the 'mixed' (beta=-0.017; 95 % CI -0.037, 0.003; P=0.075) and 'traditional' (=-0.018; 95 % CI -0.037, 0.001; P=0.061) dietary patterns. Conclusions: Monthly per capita family income, parity and maternal age were factors associated with adherence to a healthy diet during pregnancy.