Intuitive eating and mindfulness during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum

Area of Science:

• Perinatal nutrition
• Behavioral science
• Maternal health

Background:

• Pregnancy involves significant physiological and emotional changes impacting women's eating habits.
• Mindful eating and intuitive eating are emerging strategies for healthier eating during perinatal stages.
• Understanding these behaviors across pre-gestational, gestational, and postpartum periods is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the practice of mindful eating and intuitive eating.
• To assess these eating behaviors during pre-gestational, gestational, and postpartum periods.
• To evaluate changes in eating behaviors across these distinct maternal phases.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study with 103 women in Brazil.
• Data collected retrospectively (pre-pregnancy), during pregnancy, and postpartum via phone.
• Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) and Intuitive Eating Scale (IES) were used.

Main Results:

• Women showed higher intuitive and mindful eating scores during pregnancy versus pre-pregnancy.
• Mindful eating scores were significantly higher in the postpartum period compared to pregnancy.
• Mindful eating behaviors were sustained postpartum.

Conclusions:

• Maternal intuitive and mindful eating increased during pregnancy.
• Mindful eating practices were maintained postpartum.
• Incorporating these approaches into maternal nutrition interventions can enhance self-regulation and promote sustainable food choices.