Swedish women's food habits during pregnancy up to six months post-partum: A longitudinal study

• The pregnant women's diet was inadequate according to a national food index.
• A tendency towards even poorer diet after delivery was identified with a higher intake of discretionary food and decreased intake of fruit and vegetables.
• Dietary counselling needs to be more effective and to continue in the lactating period.
• A particular focus should be given to healthy eating in the life course perspective.

ObjectivesDiet influences the health of the foetus and the woman during pregnancy and later in life. It is therefore important to investigate pregnant women's food habits. The aim of this study was to describe women's food habits during pregnancy and up to six months post-partum.Study designA Food Frequency Questionnaire (VIP-FFQ) was distributed to 163 pregnant women on five occasions during and after pregnancy. Data were analysed using Friedman's ANOVA and a Bonferroni post-hoc test.Main outcome measuresFood habits in relation to the National Food Agency's (NFA) food index.ResultsThe pregnant women's diets were inadequate according to the NFA food index. A tendency towards an even poorer diet after delivery was identified, something which was related to an increased intake of discretionary food, e.g. sweets, cakes, cookies, crisps, ice cream, and decreased intake of fruit and vegetable. The alcohol consumption was low throughout.ConclusionsThe food habits during pregnancy were inadequate compared to recommendations and these habits became unhealthier after delivery. These suggest that dietary counselling needs to be more effective and continued into the lactating period. An increased focus should be given to healthy eating from the life course perspective, not just focus on effects on the foetus and pregnancy outcomes.