Healthy Prenatal Diet Associated with Lower Risk of Excessive Gestational Weight Gain in a Predominantly Latina Sample
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background/Objectives: More than half of all pregnant women in the United States exceed gestational weight gain (GWG) recommendations, which is associated with negative maternal and child health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between prenatal diet quality, measured with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020, and odds of excessive GWG among a predominantly Latina sample living in the US. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis from a longitudinal study and included 118 pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 45. Logistic regression models were used to investigate if higher scores of the HEI components were associated with a reduced risk for excessive GWG. Results: About 17% of the sample was classified with inadequate GWG, 22% with adequate GWG, and 61% with excessive GWG. The mean total HEI score for the total sample was 54.1 out of 100. (Higher total HEI scores suggest better dietary quality.) When compared with the scores of the inadequate and excessive GWG groups, the adequate GWG group had significantly higher total HEI scores (58.4) (p < 0.05), as well as specific HEI component scores: Greens and Beans (3.5) and Seafood and Plant Proteins (3.5) (p < 0.01). A higher score on these HEI components was associated with a lower risk of excessive GWG. Conclusions: Meeting the recommended daily servings of greens and beans, as well as seafood and plant proteins, may help reduce the risk of excessive GWG.
Source: Nutrients
DOI: 10.3390/nu18121953
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Awards: G5275434909, G7236440503
OpenAlex ID: W7165047582