Compliance with the ‘Japanese food guide spinning top’ for pregnancy and lactation and weight gain during pregnancy

Abstract

In Japan, a version of the Japanese Food Guide, specifically developed for pregnancy and lactation (JFGST-P/L), promotes healthy dietary habits. In the mid- to-late stages of pregnancy, it is especially important to consume the recommended additional calories and nutrients. Adherence to these guidelines also plays a key role in achieving appropriate gestational weight gain (GWG). This study investigated the relationship between adherence to these guidelines and GWG among women in the mid- to late stages of pregnancy. Data were obtained from the Maternal and Child Cohort Study, conducted at the National Center for Child Health and Development (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan). The degree of adherence to the JFGST-P/L was evaluated using scores calculated from responses to a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The participants were classified into quartiles (Q1–Q4) based on their adherence scores. GWG was classified as inadequate, adequate, or excessive according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare guidelines. The degree of JFGST-P/L adherence was divided into quartiles, and a multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed. Furthermore, the Q1 group was compared with the Q2–Q4 groups to examine the association with the risk of insufficient GWG. In the quartile analysis, no clear dose–response relationship was observed between JFGST-P/L adherence and GWG. Conversely, among Q1, an increased risk of insufficient GWG was noted compared to the Q2–Q4 group (Unadjusted OR 1.389, 95%CI 1.008–1.913). In this study, the lowest degree of adherence to the JFGST-P/L among pregnant women was associated with inadequate GWG.