Background. Pregnancy is one of the few periods in a woman’s life when extra weight is not perceived as a negative
factor, but has positive connotations with healthy fetal development, which runs against the modern cult of a perfect, slim
and healthy body. Most research studies focus on excessive rather than insufficient weight gain in successive trimesters
of pregnancy.
Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate women’s knowledge about the influence of diet on pregnancy outcome
and to assess changes in body weight and eating behaviors during pregnancy.
Materials and methods. The study consisted of an online survey. A total of 325 correctly and completely filled in
questionnaires were considered. The respondents were divided into two groups: women without children (44.92%) and
pregnant women and mothers (55.08%). The respondents’ knowledge about eating behaviors during pregnancy was
compared between the two groups. The responses given by mothers were used to evaluate weight gains during pregnancy
and the nutritional status of pregnant women.
Results. Changes in body weight during pregnancy were regarded as acceptable and pregnancy weight gain was
considered a normal process by 92% of the respondents. Pregnant women had greater knowledge about the need for
increased caloric intake in successive trimesters (p=0.0012). The respondents’ knowledge about maternal health and
healthy fetal development was assessed with the use of 10 true or false questions. The average score was 6.3±1.8 points,
and no significant differences were found between mothers/pregnant women and women without children (6.6±1.3 vs
6.2±1.7, p>0.05). In the present study, 67% of the respondents were of the opinion that they followed a healthy diet, 14%
claimed that they did not eat right, but were not motivated to make any changes.
Conclusions. The respondents were aware that weight gain during pregnancy is a normal physiological process, but 1/3
of the respondents did not feel comfortable with the observed changes. The respondents did not have sufficient knowledge
about the influence of maternal weight on fetal development. The use of diuretics and laxatives by pregnant women
without medical consultation is a worrying phenomenon. These results indicate that women should have better access to
knowledge about the impact of healthy nutrition on pregnancy outcome.