Table 2.
Differences in Components of the Dietary Quality Index-Pregnancy, and Scores on Scales Measuring Eating Habits, Depression, and Social Support by High (Upper Quartile) vs. Normal Stress
| DQI-P Component | Amount Recommended in Pregnancy (19–50 yrs) | Average Amount Consumed | High Stress | Normal Stress | t | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grains (oz.)a | Varies by BMI | 7.3 oz | 5.95 | 8.06 | 2.77 | .007 |
| Vegetables (cups) a | Varies by BMI | 1.4 cups | 1.25 | 1.4 | .85 | N.S. |
| Fruits (cups)a | Varies by BMI | 1 cup | 0.75 | 1.04 | 1.35 | N.S. |
| Calcium (mg)a | 1000 mg/dayb | 968 mg | 899.0 | 997.0 | .94 | N.S. |
| Folate (mcg)a | 600 mcg/dayb | 490 mcg | 378.0 | 537.0 | 2.62 | .011 |
| Iron (mg)a | 27 mg/dayb | 17 mg | 14.9 | 17.9 | 1.59 | N.S. |
| Meals/Snacks | 3 meals/2 snacksc | 2 meals 2 snacks |
5.3 | 5.4 | .25 | N.S. |
| % of calories from Fat | < 30% | 32 % | 34% | 32% | −1.77 | N.S. |
| Overall DQI-P Scored | ≥ 70 | 49.2 | 48.0 | 55.2 | 2.51 | .018 |
| Psychosocial Measures | Range of Possible Scores | Mean Scores | High DQI-Pe | Low DQI-Pe | t | p |
| Meal Skippingf (3 items) | 1–15 (high score= more meal skipping) | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.7 | 1.4 | N.S. |
| Control over Meal Preparationsf(2 items) | 1–8 (high score = less control) | 4.7 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 2.25 | .03 |
| Depressiong(10 items) | 0–30 (high score = more depression) | 8.1 | 6.7 | 9.6 | −2.41 | .02 |
| Stressh (11 items) | 11–66 (high score = more stress) | 20.7 | 19.3 | 22.0 | −2.27 | .03 |
| Partner Supporth (11 items) | 11–66 (higher score = more support) | 57.7 | 58.5 | 56.2 | −.86 | N.S |
| Other Supporth (11 items) | 11–66 (higher score = more support) | 54.8 | 57.4 | 52.0 | −2.10 | .04 |
BMI = Body Mass Index; NDSR = Nutrition Data System for Research (Nutrition Coordinating Center) NS = Non-significant
Average intake for food group or nutrient across 3 dietary recalls obtained from NDSR.
Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2005.
Represents score on Dietary Quality Index-Pregnancy (DQI-P) for adequacy of meal/snack pattern
DQI-P refers to the Dietary Quality Index-Pregnancy Scale (8)
High DQI-P= above median score of 53.3; Low DQI-P = below Median Score
From Eating Habits Scale (30)
From Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (26)
From Postpartum Psychosocial Profile-Stress or Social Support Subscales (28)