ABSTRACT
Background
The present study aimed to evaluate the adherence to nutritional counselling goals among pregnant women with overweight and its effect on perinatal outcomes.
Methods
A randomised clinical trial was conducted in 350 adult pregnant women with overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2). The women were assigned to control (CG = 166) or intervention groups (IG = 169). Women in the IG received three individual nutritional counselling sessions during pregnancy. Goals were related to the consumption of home-cooked meals, fruits, vegetables, physical activity and avoidance of ultra-processed foods. A score of 1 point was given for each goal achieved. Goals adherence was defined as achieving at least four out of the six goals established (overall score ≥ 4 points), regardless of the treatment group. Adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used to assess the association between goal adherence and perinatal outcomes.
Results
In the IG, 54.7% of pregnant women achieved overall goal adherence, compared to 31.7% in the CG (p = 0.001). A negative association was observed between the overall goal adherence score and total cholesterol (TC) (β −7.56 [95% CI −15.50; −0.62], p = 0.03) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (β −8.43 [95% CI −14.96; −1.91], p = 0.01]. Additionally, physical activity time was negatively associated with TC and LDL-c. A higher frequency of consumption of sugary beverages was positively associated with TC. No association was observed for other perinatal outcomes investigated.
Conclusion
Adherence to the goals of counselling showed a beneficial effect, being negatively associated with TC and LDL-c in pregnant women with overweight.
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 38, Issue 2, April 2025. Read More