Abstract
Introduction: The nutrition of pregnant women has a decisive influence on organogenesis, pregnancy, delivery, puerperium, and the clinical condition of the newborn. The COVID-19 pandemic and its relation to the mental burden of pregnant women, along with other diseases, make the assessment of factors determining their size an important element.
The aim of the study was a comparison of the weight gain of pregnant women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account selected sociodemographic, medical and health-related factors.
Materials and methods: In total, 403 women were included in the study. In 2014, before the pandemic, the study concerned 237 women. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional 166 women were included in the study. Both groups were hospitalised at the Provincial Integrated Hospital in Kielce Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic in Kielce. Necessary information was collected based on medical records and through the use of a questionnaire.
Results and conclusions: In the 1st group, the weight classified as appropriate in relation to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was observed in 36.12% of respondents, and in 34.36% of women, high weight gains were observed. In the 2nd group, it was 35.37% and 37.20%, respectively. The percentage of overweight and obese women in the 1st group was 23.56% and 27.71% in the 2nd group. In both groups, pregnant womens alcohol-consumption was lower during the pandemic. Studies indicate the need to educate women of childbearing age to reduce excess weight and pathological obesity before pregnancy.