Do pregnant women eat healthier than non-pregnant women of childbearing age?

We aimed to compare the dietary quality and intake of pregnant women, women planning to conceive and women of childbearing age. Fifty-five pregnant women were matched for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index with 55 women planning to conceive and 55 women of childbearing age. Three Web-based 24-h recalls were completed, from which the Canadian Healthy Eating Index was calculated. Pregnant women had greater overall diet quality scores (66.8 ± 10.7, 60.3 ± 14.1 and 61.4 ± 12.8, in pregnant vs. planning to conceive and childbearing age women, <i>p</i> = .009), explained by a higher intake in fruits, vegetables and grain products and lower intake of foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt. Energy intake was significantly higher in pregnant versus planning to conceive women only (2283 ± 518 vs. 2062 ± 430 kcal, <i>p</i> = .03). Diet quality was greater among pregnant women, but diet quality scores were low in all groups, indicating that healthier dietary behaviours should be encouraged for all childbearing age women.

本研究旨在比较妊娠期女性、备孕女性及育龄女性的膳食质量与摄入量。本研究按年龄与孕前体质指数（body mass index, BMI），将55名妊娠期女性分别与55名备孕女性、55名育龄女性进行1:1配对。所有受试者均完成3次基于网络的24小时膳食回顾调查，并据此计算加拿大健康膳食指数（Canadian Healthy Eating Index）。妊娠期女性的总体膳食质量评分更高（妊娠期、备孕及育龄女性分别为66.8±10.7、60.3±14.1与61.4±12.8，*p*=0.009），这一差异源于其水果、蔬菜与谷类食品摄入量更高，而高油脂、高糖高盐食品摄入量更低。仅妊娠期女性的能量摄入量显著高于备孕女性（2283±518 vs. 2062±430 kcal，*p*=0.03）。尽管妊娠期女性的膳食质量更优，但所有组别受试者的膳食质量评分均处于较低水平，提示应鼓励所有育龄女性养成更健康的膳食习惯。