[Dietary diversity and related factors among pregnant women in China in 2015]

To evaluate the dietary diversity of pregnant women in China, analyze its related factors.

Using data from Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance(CNHS 2015-2017), pregnant women aged 18-45 years were included as study subjects. The food frequency questionnaire(FFQ) was used to investigate the intake frequency and amount of various foods among pregnant women in the past month. Dietary diversity was assessed according to the minimum dietary diversity for women(MDD-W) standard. Multiple linear regression was employed to examine the associations between dietary diversity and factors including age, pregnancy, region, urban-rural residence, ethnicity and education level.

A total of 8451 pregnant women were included in this study. The mean dietary diversity score was 7.1±1.6, and 90.5% of the participants achieved MDD-W scores ≥5. Cereals had the highest consumption proportion, with 99.4% of pregnant women consuming cereals in the past 24 hours. Legumes had the lowest consumption proportion, at only 25.6%. Dietary diversity was associated with education level, region, urban-rural location, and ethnicity. The multiple linear regression model indicated that, compared to women with junior high school education or below, those with a bachelor's degree or above had an average MDD-W score 1.10 points higher. Women in the third trimester scored 0.36 points higher than those in the first trimester. Compared to those in eastern China, pregnant women in western China had an average score 0.30 points lower; rural pregnant women scored 0.24 points lower than urban pregnant women; and ethnic minority women scored 0.37 points lower than Han women(P<0.01).

Dietary diversity among pregnant women in China is generally adequate, but there are significant differences in terms of education level, region, urban-rural residence, and ethnicity. The intake frequency of legumes is low.