Weight gain and dietary intake of pregnant teenagers

Data on weight gain during pregnancy were obtained for 145 subjects aged 13 to 19 years attending a teen obstetric clinic or one of four school programs for pregnant teenagers. Social and dietary intake data were collected from 57 of the subjects. Mean weight gain (37 +/- 16 lb) and infant birth weight (3,377 +/- 480 gm) were high. Maternal age was not related to weight gain or birth weight, but infants of subjects with a gynecologic age of less than 3 years were significantly lower in birth weight. When the father of the baby had a positive reaction to the pregnancy, both weight gain and birth weight were significantly higher. On the average, consumption from all food groups except dark green vegetables was adequate. Mean caloric and protein intakes based on one 24-hour recall per subject were 2,822 +/- 1,035 kcal and 110 +/- 48 gm, respectively. Mean intakes of all calculated nutrients except iron exceeded the RDAs. Dietary quality was better among subjects attending school programs that placed a greater emphasis on nutrition.