Changes in diet from pregnancy to one year after birth: a longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Maternal Nutrition
• Dietary Changes Postpartum
• Nutritional Health Assessment

Background:

• Physiological and psychological changes occur during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.
• Energy requirements fluctuate significantly during this period.
• Dietary changes in mothers from pregnancy to postpartum remain under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally investigate changes in maternal diet and nutritional health from pregnancy through the first year postpartum.
• To assess nutritional health (Nutritional Health Score, NHS) and food consumption patterns at three key time points.
• To examine associations between nutritional health and demographic factors (age, SES, BMI, previous births).

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study design within the LIFE Child study (Leipzig, Germany).
• Dietary assessment of 110 women at 24 weeks pregnant, 3 months postpartum (breastfeeding), and 12 months postpartum (weaning).
• Evaluation of Nutritional Health Score (NHS), food item consumption, and correlations with age, SES, pre-pregnancy BMI, and previous births.

Main Results:

• High consistency in NHS values observed between pregnancy and postpartum periods.
• Nutritional health was lower during breastfeeding compared to pregnancy, with increased consumption of treats, white bread, and snacking.
• No significant difference in overall nutritional health between pregnancy and after weaning; age and SES influenced diet quality.

Conclusions:

• Increased energy demands during breastfeeding may lead to consumption of high-calorie, less healthy foods.
• Maternal nutritional health post-weaning shows improvement compared to the breastfeeding period.
• Support for young mothers' nutritional health is crucial during the demanding postpartum and breastfeeding phases.