Obesity-related Dietary Behaviours among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Ashley Harris, Nymisha Chiluku

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is common among reproductive age women, and disproportionately im-pacts 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, age ≥18, pregnant or within one year postpartum, in hospital-based clinics in Bal-timore 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.