Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate food consumption during pregnancy by determining dietary patterns, associations with maternal characteristics, and possible changes in adherence to patterns throughout pregnancy.
Methods: We prospectively followed two groups of pregnant women (N = 353) and collected, in each gestational trimester, two 24-h dietary recalls: one in person and another by telephone, with one of these recalls performed on a weekend or holiday. To determine the women's dietary patterns, principal component analysis was conducted using the combined data of groups and trimesters. The association between adherence to patterns and maternal characteristics was investigated using a logistic regression model, including covariates as potential confounders. Changes in adherence throughout the trimesters by the means difference test also were examined.
Results: Three dietary patterns were identified: traditional Brazilian; predominantly ultra-processed and beef; and whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, and dairy. Associations were found between adherence to patterns and not working outside the home, not being white, being younger, not living with a partner, drinking alcohol before pregnancy, years of formal education, and socioeconomic classification. Adherence to the traditional Brazilian pattern increased as gestational trimesters advanced, whereas the pattern that included whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, and milk derivatives decreased from the first to the second gestational trimester.
Conclusion: We found associations between maternal sociodemographic characteristics and adherence to different dietary patterns, as well as changes in adherence during pregnancy. This knowledge is relevant to creating specific and feasible guidelines for different population strata associated with the patterns.
Keywords: Dietary patterns; Factor analysis; Food consumption; Maternal diet; Pregnancy nutrition; Pregnant women.
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