Nutrition and the Use of Supplements in Women During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Survey:

Objective:A healthy diet during pregnancy is essential to ensure optimal fetal growth and development. Women’s awareness of dietary guidelines may assist them in following a healthy diet for themselves and their unborn babies. The Institute of Medicine and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology have published recommendations concerning the nutrition of pregnant/nursing women. The Israeli Ministry of Health has adopted these recommendations in revised guidelines published in 2015. The aim of this study was to describe the dietary habits among pregnant/nursing women in Israel and to assess the correlation between socioeconomic parameters and adherence to those guidelines.Methods:We performed a cross-sectional survey by interviewing pregnant/lactating women attending family health centers (FHC) in different areas of Tel Aviv, Israel.Results:One-half of the 239 recruited women reported having been informed of the guidelines for dietary changes during and after pregnancy, 30% by a professional sourc...