Effect of Single Goal Versus Multiple Goal Dietary Interventions on Diet Quality Measures During Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: During pregnancy, over 50% of women gain more than is recommended based on the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) guidelines. There is no consensus on dietary interventions to prevent excessive gestational weight gain (GWG). Excessive GWG is associated with development of gestational diabetes (GDM), hypertension, and can also result in high infant birth weight. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in the ability of a single goal (SG) vs multiple goal (MG) intervention to improve diet quality and maintain micronutrient status. Design: Pregnant women were randomized within two pilot trials to an intervention, MG (n=21) and SG (n=16), or usual care (UC, n=18 combined). The MG intervention included traditional lifestyle counseling methods incorporating several nutrition topics, as well as physical activity. The SG intervention solely focused on increasing dietary fiber (>30gm/day). Both interventions included instruction by registered dietitians. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were collected for the three groups and three diet quality measures were calculated, including the AHEI-2010, AHEI- P (2005), and AHEI-P (2010). Results: At study end, the SG group saw improvement in all three diet quality measures (p30gm/day). Both interventions included instruction by registered dietitians. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were collected for the three groups and three diet quality measures were calculated, including the AHEI-2010, AHEI- P (2005), and AHEI-P (2010). Results: At study end, the SG group saw improvement in all three diet quality measures (p0.05). There was no significant difference in calcium, folate, or iron status between the groups. Conclusions: A SG intervention focusing on fiber during pregnancy may be a simple approach to increasing diet quality. More research on SG interventions is needed.