Factors related to vegetable intake among pregnant Japanese women: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Vegetable intake (VI) is important for both fetal and maternal health. However, VI is insufficient among many pregnant Japanese women. This study aimed to identify the factors related to VI during pregnancy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014, at a university hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Dietary intake was assessed using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Demographic, physical, and psychological characteristics, dietary habits, and health-related behaviors were investigated using another questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors related to VI.

Results: Data of 273 healthy pregnant women was analyzed. The median value of energy-adjusted VI was 140.4 g/1000 kcal. Severe pregnancy-associated nausea (β = -0.148), a habit of eating out (β = -0.174), a habit of eating confectioneries (β = -0.158), and perceived barriers to obtaining vegetables (β = -0.149) were negatively associated with the energy-adjusted VI. In contrast, exercise habits (β = 0.193), knowledge of the recommended VI amounts for non-pregnant adults (β = 0.105), and the Vegetable Intake Self-Efficacy scale scores (β = 0.193) were positively associated with the energy-adjusted VI.

Conclusions: Pregnant women with severe pregnancy-associated nausea, or those who habitually eat out or eat confectioneries, may be a potential high-risk population for low VI. Enhancing knowledge and self-efficacy regarding VI would be effective in increasing VI during pregnancy.