Dietary patterns are influenced by socio-demographic conditions of women in childbearing age: a cohort study of pregnant women

Abstract

BackgroundWomen’s health during their reproductive years and whilst pregnant has implications for their children’s health, both in utero and during childhood. Associations of women’s pre-pregnancy dietary patterns (DP) with maternal socio-demographic characteristics and nutrient intake were investigated in ProcriAr cohort study in São Paulo/Brazil, 2012.MethodsThe DPs of 454 women were investigated by principal component factor analysis, using dietary information from a validated 110-item food frequency questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models identified independent associations between DPs and maternal socio-demographic characteristics and Spearman’s correlation determined associations between DPs and nutrients intake.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 26.1 years (standard deviation = 6.3), 10.3% had more than 8 years of formal education, 30% were migrants from outside of the Southeast of Brazil, 48% were employed, 13% were smokers, and 51% were overweight/obese. Four DPs were derived: ‘Lentils, whole grains and soups,’ ‘Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and soft drinks,’ ‘Seasoned vegetables and lean meats,’ and ‘Sweetened juices, bread and butter, rice and beans’. The ‘Lentils, whole grains and soups’ score was positively related to maternal age, being non-smoker and born in the South, North or Midwest of Brazil. The ‘Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and soft drinks’ score was positively related to higher maternal education, and negatively related to age, lack of formal work and being born in the Northeast region. The ‘Seasoned vegetables and lean meats’ score was positively related to higher maternal education. The ‘Sweetened juices, bread and butter, rice and beans’ score was positively related to unemployment and to no family history of hypertension, and negatively related to maternal overweight and obesity. Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, foods that require preparation, nutrients from one-carbon metabolism, protein, iron, calcium and vitamin D were correlated with the ‘Seasoned vegetables and lean meats’. Dietary intake of sugar-sweetened and alcoholic beverages, industrialized and takeaway foods, and foods rich in sugar, energy, fat, and synthetic folate were correlated with the ‘Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and soft drinks’.ConclusionsFindings from this study add perspectives to be considered in the implementation of health interventions, which could improve women’s nutritional status and provide an adequate environment for the developing fetus.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5184-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gender in Endocrine Diseases: Role of Sex Gonadal Hormones

“…Considering the sex-related difference in insulin sensitivity, it is clear how sociodemographic aspects may interact with biology [ 61 ]. This association has been observed also in pregnant woman [ 62 ]. Even in the prevention and management of gestational diabetes mellitus, maternal income and education may have a strong impact [ 63 ].…”

Relationship between pregestational nutritional status and type of processing of foods consumed by high-risk pregnant women

“…15 The present study demonstrated that the older the maternal age of high-risk pregnant women, the lower the intake of total calories and the percentages of carbohydrates and proteins from ultra-processed foods. This finding agrees with other studies that have shown that older pregnant women tend to eat less unhealthy snacks and fast food, 16,17 which are meals known to increase overweight and obesity 18 as they contain a large amount of sugar, fat and sodium. 19 In the present study, class III obese high-risk pregnant women presented lower percentages of intake of protein from natural/minimally processed foods when compared with overweight or class I and II obese pregnant women.…”

Breastfeeding duration is associated with offspring’s adherence to prudent dietary pattern in adulthood: results from the Nutritionist’s Health Study

“…45 Despite the homogeneous education level of our sample, we observed that women with a higher family income were more likely to adhere to the Prudent pattern, which is in line with the positive association between education (as a proxy of economic status) and adherence to healthy dietary patterns found in other studies. 33,34 In contrast, participants with a lower socioeconomic status (lower family income, lower maternal education, non-white and undergraduates) had a higher probability to adhere to the Brazilian pattern. These findings corroborated studies that had identified inverse associations of the education 32 and family income 34 and direct associations of mulatto skin color 34 with adherence to previously described 'Traditional/Common-Brazilian' patterns.…”

“…The Processed pattern was the one that most explained the diet variance and was similar to previously reported in Brazilian adults. [32][33][34] Such patterns have been associated with unfavorable health outcomes, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 35 Our Prudent pattern resembles those pre-pregnancy pattern named 'seasoned vegetables and lean meats,' 33 or adult's patterns named 'vegetable/fruit,' 32 or 'healthy.'…”

“…[32][33][34] Such patterns have been associated with unfavorable health outcomes, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 35 Our Prudent pattern resembles those pre-pregnancy pattern named 'seasoned vegetables and lean meats,' 33 or adult's patterns named 'vegetable/fruit,' 32 or 'healthy.' 34 In addition to fruits, vegetables and lean meats, commonly present in these patterns, ours also included oats, nuts, olive oil for salad dressing, yogurt, brown rice and lentils, thus combining characteristics of a Mediterranean-style diet (except for the absence of wine intake) and the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, both associated with metabolic health benefits.…”