Changes in dietary patterns from preconception to during pregnancy and its association with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors

Objective: To examine dietary patterns changes from preconception to during pregnancy and their associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Design: This study used data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), a population-based prospective cohort study. Women's dietary patterns were assessed using Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) score and the four patterns were obtained from the factor analysis (Western diets, vegetable and grains, traditional vegetable and fruit patterns). Multi-variable linear regression and repeated measures mixed-effect models were used. Setting: A national representative survey which covers all Australian citizens and permanent residents in Australia. Participants: 621 women were included from the ALSWH. Results: Women's scores increased on the 'HEI-2015', 'traditional vegetable' and 'fruit' patterns while the 'vegetable and grains' decreased from preconception to during pregnancy. Women with higher education were more likely to increase their HEI-2015 score and fruit consumption from preconception to during pregnancy, respectively (beta = 2 center dot 31, (95 % CI 0 center dot 02, 4 center dot 60)) and (beta = 23 center dot 78, (95 % CI 4 center dot 58, 42 center dot 97)), than those with lower educational status. Single women were more likely to increase the consumption of vegetables and grains compared to married women (beta = 76 center dot 08, (95 % CI 20 center dot 83, 131 center dot 32)). Women with higher income had a greater increase in the HEI-2015 score than those with lower income (beta = 3 center dot 02, (95 % CI 0 center dot 21, 5 center dot 83)). Conclusion: The findings indicate that there have been marked dietary changes from preconception to during pregnancy. Changes in healthy dietary patterns were influenced by education, marital status and income.