Objective To assess dietary quality among pregnant women in Central China and explore its related factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on the Maternal Nutrition and Health Scientific Survey in China. A total of 10,116 pregnant women meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Information on dietary intake, sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and social support was collected. Dietary quality was comprehensively evaluated in terms of diversity, adequacy, moderation, and balance, and the dietary quality index for pregnancy (DQI-P) was calculated. Linear regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with DQI-P. Results The mean DQI-P score of pregnant women in Central China was 61.0±12.0. Average energy intakes in the first, second, and third trimesters were 1687.5±441.9, 1895.2±474.3, and 1956.5±497.1 kcal/d, respectively. Rural pregnant women had higher total DQI-P scores, moderation, adequacy (in the third trimester), and balance scores than urban counterparts (all P<0.001), whereas urban women scored higher in dietary diversity (P<0.001). Urban women showed relatively lower scores for fat intake and energy contribution ratio by macronutrients, while rural women had lower sodium-related scores (both P<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that in urban areas, pre-pregnancy BMI was negatively associated with DQI-P (first trimester B=–0.3; second trimester B=–0.2; third trimester B=–0.3, all P<0.05), whereas public institutional trust was associated with higher DQI-P (second trimester B=2.7, P<0.001). In rural areas, pre-pregnancy BMI was negatively associated with DQI-P (third trimester B=–0.4, P<0.001) and primiparity was associated with lower DQI-P (first trimester B=–1.7; second trimester B=–2.3; third trimester B=–3.7, all P<0.05), whereas exercise (first trimester B=5.8; second trimester B=2.9; third trimester B=2.6, all P<0.001) and participation in social organizations (first trimester B=1.6; third trimester B=2.4, both P<0.05) were associated with higher DQI-P. Conclusion sDietary quality among pregnant women in Central China remains suboptimal. Pre-pregnancy weight management and urban-rural differentiated nutritional interventions may contribute to improving dietary quality during pregnancy.
Key words
pregnant women /
dietary quality index for pregnancy /
dietary quality /
related factors
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