Comparison of Eating Habits Based on Weight Gain during Pregnancy: Centered on Recommended Standards of the Institute of Medicine

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate weight gain during pregnancy based on pre-pregnant Body Mass Index, to compare eating habits based on the recommended standards for weight gain presented by the Institute of Medicine, and to identify factors affecting the weight gain of pregnant women. The subjects were grouped into three categories according to the recommended weight gain standards presented by the Institute of Medicine: the inadequate group, the adequate group and the excessive group. The excessive group had a significantly higher pre-pregnant Body Mass Index than that of the two other groups. Based on a comparison of the eating habits and nutrient intake of the women to the recommended standards for weight gain, the excessive gain group had large meals and ate more frequently outside of the home when compared to the pre-pregnancy period. Based on an analysis of correlations between weight gain during pregnancy and diet factors, the adequate gain group had positive correlation between weight gain and a "balanced meal" and had negative correlation with "convenience meals". The excessive gain group had a positive correlation with "convenience meals" and had a negative correlation with "meal skipping." All the pregnant women were more frequent in the "overeating categories" and all ate more "fruit," as their weight gain was higher. In particular, the excessive gain group was frequently evaluated as "overeating". These results indicate that the factors affecting weight gain during pregnancy were the Body Mass Index before pregnancy, eating types, and eating habits. As the Body Mass Index before pregnancy was higher, the ingestion of a 'balanced meal' was less, and overeating and gluttony were more frequent. Therefore weight gain was enhanced.