Dietary Pattern Influences Gestational Weight Gain: Results from the ProcriAr Cohort Study-Sao Paulo, Brazil

The maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) influence maternal and infant outcomes. This study identified patterns of habitual dietary intake in 385 pregnant women in Sao Paulo and explored their associations with excessive weight gain (EGWG). Weight at the first visit (<14 weeks) was used as a proxy for pre-pregnancy weight. Food consumption was assessed using the 24HR method, administered twice at each gestational trimester, and dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Three dietary patterns were identified: Vegetables and Fruits, Western, and Brazilian Traditional. Descriptive data analysis was performed using absolute and relative frequencies for each independent variable and multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used to analyze excessive gestational gain weight (EGWG) and dietary patterns (DP). The Brazilian Traditional dietary pattern showed a protective effect on EGWG (p = 0.04) and age > 35 years (p = 0.03), while subjects overweight at baseline had a higher probability of EGWG (p = 0.02), suggesting that the identification of dietary and weight inadequacies should be observed from the beginning of pregnancy, accompanied by nutritional intervention and weight monitoring throughout the gestational period to reduce risks to the mother and child's health.

Automated summary

This study examined the impact of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on both maternal and infant outcomes. The findings showed that a traditional Brazilian dietary pattern had a protective effect against excessive weight gain during pregnancy. However, being overweight before pregnancy and being over 35 years old increased the risk of excessive weight gain. The study suggests that nutritional intervention and weight monitoring should be implemented early in pregnancy to reduce health risks for both mother and child.