Assessment of weight gain and its association with dietary intake, physical activities and sociodemographic factors among pregnant women in bachok district, Kelantan

• Main Author: Lim Wei Ting , Fiona
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: RG551-591 Pregnancy
• Online Access: http://eprints.usm.my/42921/1/Dr._Fiona_Lim_Wei_Ting-24_pages.pdf; http://eprints.usm.my/42921/

Pregnancy is a unique period where there is a dynamic change of physiological phenomenon of a pregnant woman to accommodate the fetus development. Appropriate gestational weight gain during pregnancy is crucial for healthy development of fetus and also to reduce the incidence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the associated factors of gestational weight gain among third trimester pregnant women in Bachok District, Kelantan. Pregnant women in their third trimester were recruited from government healthcare clinic in Bachok District and were followed-up after delivery. A total of 211 pregnant women aged 19-49 years with singleton pregnancy were included in the study. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake, physical activity level and anthropometric measurements were collected through face-to-face interview. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associated factors of gestational weight gain during pregnancy. Findings showed that higher maternal age (30-49) was associated with 2.57 times (95% CI 1.27, 5.19) to develop inadequate gestational weight gain, while overweight and obese pregnant women were at 72.2% (95% CI 0.10, 0.75) and 72.9% (95% CI 0.08, 0.97), respectively lower incidence of developing inadequate gestational weight gain. In the other hand, higher household size (≥ 6) was associated with 59.6% (95% CI 0.18,0.89) lower chance of developing excessive weight gain. However, pregnant women with mid-upper arm circumference ≥ 27cm were associated with 7.13 times (95% CI 1.60, 31.68) greater chance to develop excessive gestational weight gain. In conclusion, maternal age, household size, prepregnancy body mass index and midupper arm circumference measurement were significantly associated with gestational weight gain. Proper counseling on recommended weight gain during pregnancy as well as healthy dietary intake and recommended physical activity may lead to an appropriate gestational weight gain within recommendations and reduce the complication of maternal and neonatal outcomes.