Polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption and weight gain during pregnancy: NISAMI Cohort study.

Objectives: Few studies have investigated the influence of polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption on excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Thus, we analyzed the association between the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-6 and ω-3) and weight gain in women during pregnancy.

Methods: This is a cohort study of 250 pregnant women enrolled in municipal pre-natal services. Weight, height, and dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids were evaluated at the baseline. The semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was employed to assess the main exposure. Gestational weight was measured in the first, second, and third trimesters. A dietary pattern involving the consumption of fatty acids was identified through factor analysis. A generalized estimating equation was used for the data analysis.

Results: The prevalence of excessive weight gain at the end of pregnancy was 35.2%. Consumption patterns 1 (salted meats, offal, vegetable oil, snacks, legumes, and oleaginous foods) and 2 (red meat, sausages, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, acarajé, caruru, vatapá, and refined cereals) revealed a risk for the accumulation of excess weight during pregnancy. Women who adhered to consumption patterns 1 (RR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.44-3.94) and 2 (RR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.44-3.94) were more susceptible to excess weight gain during pregnancy.

Conclusions: Women who adhered to dietary patterns involving foods that are sources of ω-6 fatty acids and saturated fatty acids were more susceptible to gaining weight during pregnancy compared to those who adhered less to these patterns.