Tracking of Maternal Diet from Pregnancy to Postpregnancy: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

Abstract

We systematically reviewed studies to examine changes in women's diets from pregnancy to post-pregnancy period and sought to understand the characteristics of women making these changes. From a search of 4 databases and up to November 2019, 17 studies met our inclusion criteria. They reported changes in various dietary aspects. Mixed findings were reported for changes in energy and micronutrient intakes. Most studies reported significant decreases in fruit and vegetable consumption, diet quality and adherence to a healthier dietary pattern during the transition from pregnancy to post-pregnancy, while increases in discretionary food and fat intakes were observed. Women with lower education level, lower income and/or who work fulltime tended to have poorer dietary behaviors post-pregnancy. Further research, with better aligned dietary measurement time points during pregnancy and postpartum and standardization of dietary assessment tools, is needed for future studies to be comparable.

Reducing Postpartum Weight Retention: A Review of the Implementation Challenges of Postpartum Lifestyle Interventions

“…There is generally a decline in healthy dietary behaviours from pregnancy through to postpartum [ 29 , 30 , 31 ] ( Table 1 ). Diet quality was reported to be higher in the first postpartum year compared to subsequent years indicating that the decline in diet quality continues even after the first postpartum year [ 31 ].…”

“…Diet quality was reported to be higher in the first postpartum year compared to subsequent years indicating that the decline in diet quality continues even after the first postpartum year [ 31 ]. Lee et al’s review reported less adherence to healthier dietary patterns, specifically decreased fruit and vegetable intake and increased intake of energy dense and nutrient poor food during the transition from pregnancy to postpartum [ 30 ]. This worsening of lifestyle behaviours in the postpartum period could be due to the demands associated with caring for a child [ 32 ].…”

Diet Quality and Its Effect on Weight Gain Prevention in Young Adults: A Narrative Review

“…44,45 Furthermore, a recent systematic review reported that overall maternal diet quality declined during the transition from pregnancy to postpartum, with the majority of studies reported significant decreases in fruit and vegetable consumption, and an increase in discretionary foods and high fat intakes observed. 46 These results demonstrate that young women consume suboptimal dietary intakes of core food groups including fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, dairy, seafood/plant protein, and excessive intake of foods and beverages high in saturated fat and added sugars that further deteriorates from pregnancy to postpartum. Subsequently, nutrient intake levels for folate, fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin E were below recommended levels, indicating that many young women may be nutritionally unprepared for pregnancy.…”

Human Milk Oligosaccharide Profiles and Associations with Maternal Nutritional Factors: A Scoping Review

“…Further, diet quality was only assessed during pregnancy and should be assessed during lactation, preferably at multiple timepoints, as it is likely that maternal diet changes post pregnancy. The literature points to a decrease in overall diet quality (along with fruit and vegetable intake), and an increase in the intake of energy-dense yet nutrient-poor food choices post pregnancy [ 41 ].…”