Obesity-Related Dietary Behaviors among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Abstract EN

Introduction.

Obesity is common among reproductive age women and disproportionately impacts racial/ethnic minorities.

Our objective was to assess racial/ethnic differences in obesity-related dietary behaviors among pregnant and postpartum women, to inform peripartum weight management interventions that target diverse populations.

Methods.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 212 Black (44%), Hispanic (31%), and White (25%) women, aged ≥ 18, pregnant or within one year postpartum, in hospital-based clinics in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2013.

Outcomes were fast food or sugar-sweetened beverage intake once or more weekly.

We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between race/ethnicity and obesity-related dietary behaviors, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

Results.

In adjusted analyses, Black women had 2.4 increased odds of fast food intake once or more weekly compared to White women (CI = 1.08, 5.23).

There were no racial/ethnic differences in the odds of sugar-sweetened beverage intake.

Discussion.

Compared with White or Hispanic women, Black women had 2-fold higher odds of fast food intake once or more weekly.

Black women might benefit from targeted counseling and intervention to reduce fast food intake during and after pregnancy.