Objective: Evaluate if an intervention based on nutritional counseling decreases total sugars and energy consumption in overweight and obese pregnant women, compared to their previous consumption and compared to women who only received routine counseling.
Methods: Randomized study of two groups: dietary counseling (Intervention Group: IG) and routine counseling (Control Group: CG). The intervention consisted of three educational sessions focused on decreasing intake of foods that most contribute to sugars consumption. Changes in sugars and energy consumption were evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire before and after the intervention.
Results: We evaluated 433 pregnant women, 272 in IG and 161 in CG, who before intervention had a mean consumption of 140 g total sugars and 2134 kcal energy per day. At the end of the intervention, the IG showed 15 g/day lower consumption of total sugars (95% CI: -25 and -5 g/day), 2% less total energy from sugars (95% CI: -3% and -1% g/day), and 125 kcal/day less energy than the CG (95% CI: -239 and -10 kcal/day). Table sugar, sweets, and soft drinks had the greatest reduction in consumption.
Conclusions: The intervention focused on counseling on the decrease in consumption of the foods that most contribute to sugars consumption in overweight and obese pregnant women was effective in decreasing total sugars and energy consumption, mainly in the food groups high in sugars. Future studies should examine if this intervention has an effect on maternal and fetal outcomes.
Keywords: energy; nutritional intervention; obesity; overweight; pregnant women; total sugars.