The influence of maternal dietary patterns on gestational weight gain: A large prospective cohort study in China

Abstract Objective The relationship between dietary patterns and gestational weight gain (GWG) in different pregnancy stages has rarely been reported among the Asian population. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between dietary patterns and GWG in Chinese pregnant women. Methods Participants were women from the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study who completed a validated food frequency questionnaire at 24 to 27 wk gestation (N = 5733). Dietary patterns were generated by cluster analysis. Maternal prepregnancy weight was self-reported; weights during pregnancy were extracted from medical records. Regression analyses were performed to test the associations between dietary patterns and total GWG and GWG rates (linear regression), and the adequacy of GWG (logistic regression). Results According to food consumption frequency, six dietary patterns were generated: “richer in cereals,” “richer in vegetables,” “richer in meats,” “richer in fruits,” “richer in fish, beans, nuts, and yogurt,” and “richer in milk and milk powder.” Compared with women following the richer in cereals pattern, those who followed the richer in fruits pattern had a significantly higher GWG (β = 0.592; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.166–1.018) and total rate of GWG; those who followed the richer in fish, beans, nuts, and yogurt” pattern had a greater GWG rate in the second trimester, and also had a decreased risk for inadequate GWG (odds ratio, 0.797; 95% CI, 0.638–0.997). Conclusion Consuming a variety of foods and frequent consumption of fruits during pregnancy contributes to a more rapid increase in GWG among pregnant women in China. Findings may be useful in pregnancy weight monitoring.