Dietary Modifications during Pregnancy through Decades

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the modifications in diet during pregnancy over three generations in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. For the selection of the sample, the respondents were categorized in 3 age groups: 20 to 34 years; 35 to 55 years; and ≥ 56 years. Structured diet recall interviews were scheduled for the collection of data. The subjects were asked about their dietary habits during pregnancy and food items that they included and excluded during that period. Most food items mentioned included were milk, fruits, and nutritional supplements. The exclusion of fruits like banana and papaya, of rice, and of leafy green vegetables (LGVs) was mainly observed. Among the age group of ≥ 56 years, the respondents with no changes in their diet during pregnancy were more from rural areas (92%) than from urban areas (62.26%), while in the age group of 20 to 34 years, 25% of the respondents with no change in their diet lived in rural areas, and 8.06% lived in urban areas. There has been an increase in the population with dietary modifications through generations; however, the overall changes are still not satisfying. The present study shows that there is a high need for nutritional education during pregnancy, especially in rural areas.

Resumo

Este estudo teve por objetivo explorar as mudanças na dieta durante a gravidez ao longo de três gerações na região de Garhwal, em Uttarakhand, Índia. Para a seleção da amostra, as respondentes foram divididas em 3 faixas etárias: de 20 a 34 anos; de 35 a 55 anos; e 56 anos ou mais. Entrevistas estruturadas de rememoração da dieta foram agendadas para a coleta de dados. Perguntou-se às participantes sobre seus hábitos alimentares durante a gravidez, e os alimentos que elas incluíam e excluíam da dieta durante esse período. A maioria dos alimentos mencionados incluía leite, frutas, e suplementos alimentares. As exclusões mais observadas foram de frutas, como banana e mamão papaia, arroz e verduras. Entre a faixa etária de 56 anos ou mais, as respondentes sem mudanças na dieta durante a gravidez provinham mais de zonas rurais (92%) do que de urbanas (62,26%), ao passo que, na faixa etária de 20 a 34 anos, 25% das respondentes sem mudanças na dieta moravam em zonas rurais, e 8,06% moravam em zonas urbanas. Ao longo das gerações, houve um aumento na população que faz mudanças na dieta; no entanto, em geral, essas mudanças ainda não são satisfatórias. Este estudo mostra que há grande necessidade de educação nutricional, principalmente em zonas rurais.

Keywords

pregnancy - dietary modifications - foods included - foods excluded - dietary habits - diet recall

Palavras-chave

gravidez - mudanças na dieta - alimentos incluídos - alimentos excluídos - hábitos alimentares - rememoração da dieta

Ethics Approval

The present study was survey-based, and included no intervention. Questionnaire-related home remedies were used to interview respondents who voluntarily participated. To the best of our knowledge, there is no need for ethical approval in survey-based studies.

Publication History

Received: 21 February 2021

Accepted: 17 May 2021

Article published online:
23 September 2021

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