Sociodemographic factors may affect adherence to specific dietary patterns during pregnancy. The present study aimed to identify dietary patterns during pregnancy and associated factors among Brazilian pregnant women.

A cross-sectional analysis. Dietary intake was evaluated with a semi-quantitative FFQ during the first postpartum week; the time frame included the second and third gestational trimesters. Principal component analysis was used to identify dietary patterns during pregnancy. Sociodemographic data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions were applied to test the associations between the sociodemographic factors and dietary patterns.

Mesquita, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2011.

Postpartum women (n 327) who were 18–45 years of age and Mesquita residents.

Three different dietary patterns were identified: ‘healthy’ (mainly comprising legumes, vegetables and fruits), ‘mixed’ (mainly comprising candy, butter and margarine, and snacks) and ‘traditional’ (mainly comprising beans and rice). Women with a higher monthly per capita family income (β=0·0006; 95 % CI 0·0001, 0·001; P=0·011) and women of older age (β=0·021; 95 % CI −0·001, 0·042; P=0·058) were more likely to adhere to the ‘healthy’ dietary pattern. Women with higher parity were less likely to adhere to the ‘healthy’ pattern (β=−0·097; 95 % CI −0·184, −0·009; P=0·030) and were more likely to adhere to the ‘traditional’ pattern (β=0·098; 95 % CI 0·021, 0·175; P=0·012). Although not statistically significant, older women were less likely to adhere to the ‘mixed’ (β=−0·017; 95 % CI −0·037, 0·003; P=0·075) and ‘traditional’ (β=−0·018; 95 % CI −0·037, 0·001; P=0·061) dietary patterns.

Monthly per capita family income, parity and maternal age were factors associated with adherence to a healthy diet during pregnancy.