Investigating Antenatal Nutrition Education Preferences in South-East Queensland, including Maori and Pasifika women

The survey was completed by 399 eligible women. Country of birth data suggested 4 per cent of respondents were Pasifika and failed to separately identify New Zealand Maori, whereas 18 per cent of respondents (n = 73) reported M&P ancestry. Descriptors were similar between groups (28 ± 5 years; 91 per cent any breastfeeding; 18 per cent gestational diabetes mellitus; p>0.05). However M&P women were less often university educated (M&P:6(9 per cent); NMP:71(22 per cent), p<0.01) and more likely had >2 children (M&P: 30 (54 per cent); NMP:70(30 per cent), p<0.01). M&P women reported heavier weight at conception (M&P:79.0 ± 20.2 kg, 29.2 ± 7.5 kg/m2; NMP:71.3 ± 18.9 kg, 26.3 ± 6.5 kg/m2, p<0.01), and were more likely to report excess gestational weight gain (M&P:30(56 per cent), NMP:96(36 per cent), p<0.05). Most (>75 per cent) women did not know their recommended weight gain. Many respondents reported inadequate intake of vegetables (95 per cent), fruit (29 per cent) and dairy (69 per cent) during pregnancy. Two-fifths (38–41 per cent) reported interest in perinatal nutrition education, with topics including healthy eating postpartum.