The Nutritional Behaviour of Pregnant Women in Poland

Abstract

A woman's diet during pregnancy can significantly affect her health, as well as her child's future development and well-being. Unfortunately, many pregnant women do not follow the recommended nutritional guidelines. The reason could be that they have insufficient knowledge about nutritional best practice. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to investigate the nutritional behaviour of pregnant women in Poland. The research was conducted using a questionnaire to survey a sample of N = 815 pregnant women in first pregnancy. Among the findings were that the subjects ate an excessive amount of sweets, and white bread, and consumed insufficient quantities of fish, milk and fermented milk drinks. Subjects chose white bread more often than wholemeal bread, and fruit rather than vegetables. The study showed that the nutritional behaviour of pregnant women was characterised by many bad practices.

Keywords: diet; maternal nutrition; nutritional behaviour; pregnancy.

Figure 1

Number of meals eaten during the day eaten by participants.

Figure 2

Type of food eaten between main meals by participants.

Figure 3

The consumption of fruit, vegetables, and juices by participants.

Figure 4

The consumption of white and wholemeal bread and other cereal products.

Figure 5

The consumption of milk products by participants.

Figure 6

The consumption of meat and fish by participants.

Figure 7

The consumption of fried dishes and processed meat products by participants.

Figure 8

The consumption of fast food and sweets by participants.

Figure 9

Participants own assessment of diet quality.