Abstract

SAIDMAN, Natalia et al. Knowledge, interests and beliefs on food and nutrition in pregnant women. Diaeta [online]. 2012, vol.30, n.139. ISSN 1852-7337.

Inadequate intake of nutrients by pregnant women affects their nutritional status and lead to greater risk of deficiency or excess diseases. It is therefore considered essential to know which beliefs, doubts, myths and interests women have during pregnancy to transmit knowledge taking into account their real needs. Objective: To explore dietary changes, food and nutrition knowledge, myths, taboos and beliefs in a group of pregnant women. To understand and interpret doubts and interests about diet and pregnancy, in order to achieve a starting point to design an intervention program for prenatal nutrition control. Materials and Methods: A semistructured questionnaire was conducted amongst 117 healthy pregnant women over 17 years of age who went in for their pregnancy check ups to obstetric and gynecological services in Buenos Aires city hospitals and health centers from February to August 2011. The information collected was completed with in-depth interviews to 6 pregnant women with the goal of exploring subjective theories. Results: Negative connotations to some food were charged by 31% of pregnant women, by associating them with possible damage to the baby or a weight gain greater than desired; surprisingly meat appeared within these foods. Changes in food choices from pregnancy were reported by 65%, including increased intake of fruits, vegetables, cereals and milk and decreased meat intake. Lack of knowledge was evidenced on weight gain, anemia and iron supplementation. Most pregnant women (92%) expressed interest in receiving more nutritional information in the check up. Conclusions: The present study highlights the importance of designing a nutritional intervention program focused on providing nutrition support during prenatal care. The focus of this intervention should be the educational component and nutritional counseling prioritizing knowledge, interests and beliefs identified in this group.

Keywords : Pregnancy; Myths; Taboos; Beliefs and knowledge.

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