Author(s): Dr. Medha Kumari

Abstract:
Reproductive health is a significant public health issue during pandemics; however, the impacts of the pandemic on non infected pregnant women are still unknown. This study intends to examine whether changes of food and lifestyle of pregnant women occurred during the pandemic triggered by disease concerns and to explore the associations among dietary changes, and gestational weight gain. Based on an online survey of new mothers who experienced the lockdown in their third trimester were recruited from states of India. The study shows about socio demographic characteristics, concerns about the pandemic, maternity information, physical activities, and dietary changes during lockdown. The results also show that the average diet of pregnant women living in a severely affected area, who are very worried about the pandemic and who had less physical activity had a higher tendency of food and eating. Although there is a dietary pattern changed during pandemic, the average gestational weight gain in the studied group was in the normal range. In conclusion, this study indicated that lifestyle and food pattern occurred in a proportional number of pregnant women during the pandemic and is associated with excess gestational weight gain mediated by increased intake of certain foods. The findings suggest the need for psychosocial and nutritional education and interventions during pregnancy checkups. Further studies are needed to determine modifiable psychosocial predictors and potential nutritional concerns in pregnant women during disease outbreaks.