Simultaneity of health-related behaviors and food insecurity among pregnant women

Abstract

The researchers aimed through this cross-sectional study to explore the co-occurrence of health-related behaviors and their association with food insecurity in pregnant women. The investigated behaviors include smoking, alcohol consumption, non-regular consumption of fruit, and physical inactivity among 605 participants. Our findings reveal that women experiencing food insecurity exhibit a higher prevalence of simultaneous engagement in specific health behaviors. Specifically, the co-occurrence of alcohol consumption and non-regular fruit consumption is elevated, as is the co-occurrence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption, regular fruit consumption, and physical inactivity. The implications of these findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing both food insecurity and clustered health behaviors during pregnancy.

Authors’ Contribution

Miss Fernandes RC, participed of conceptualization, methodology and data curation. Performed the application of statistical, mathematical, computational, or other formal techniques. She drafted the article or critically reviewed the article and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published. The author agrees that she is responsible for all aspects of the work, ensuring that issues related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are properly investigated and resolved. Mrs Höfelmann DA, participed of conceptualization, methodology and data curation. Performed the application of statistical, mathematical, computational, or other formal techniques. She drafted the article or critically reviewed the article and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published. The author agrees that she is responsible for all aspects of the work, ensuring that issues related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are properly investigated and resolved.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the the Initiative Program, the 02th Academy of the Academic Program of the Post Graduate Program in Food and Nutrition (PPGAN) from the Federal University of Paraná (Brazil) Subsidiary of the Superintendent of the United States. CAPES/Ministério da Educação under Grant Finance Code 001.