"Assessing Dietary and Physical Activity Patterns During Pregnancy Among Antenatal Mothers Attending a Selected Medical Officer of Health Clinic in Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Study"

This cross-sectional investigation intricately dissects the interrelationships among maternal demographic attributes, dietary patterns, levels of physical activity, and their collective repercussions on pregnancy outcomes, with a specific emphasis on mitigating the risks associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and excessive weight gain. The dataset, encompassing 224 antenatal mothers attending a Sri Lankan Medical Officer of Health Clinic, illuminates the panorama. Demographic dissection unveils heterogeneous age strata, comprising 16% below 25 years, 68% aged 25-34, and 16% surpassing 35. Conjugal status unveils 88% married, 4% single, 5% divorced, and 4% classified as "Other." The educational spectrum spans from an absence of formal schooling (3%) to Advanced Level (A/L) qualifications (46%). Ethnically, 75% are Sinhalese, 4% Tamil, and 22% Muslim. Financially, 9% reported incomes below LKR 10,000, 60% within LKR 10,000-50,000, and 32% exceeding LKR 50,000. Pregnancy dynamics depict trimester distribution (21%, 44%, 36%), parity (46% nulliparous, 26% primiparous, 15% multiparous, 14% with three or more pregnancies), and body mass index (BMI) classifications (48% normal, 32% overweight, 21% obese). Hemoglobin levels span a spectrum (43% normal, 36% within non-pregnant norm, 20% mild anemia, 3% anemia). Nutritional scrutiny exposes divergent consumption patterns encompassing fruits, vegetables, dairy, and carbohydrates. Strikingly, 65% reported negligible exercise engagement. Pertinent correlations unravel connections between dietary constituents and hemoglobin levels, along with consumption tendencies and BMI. A detailed physical activity profile discloses variances in involvement across tasks. Noteworthy, robust correlations manifest between gestational weight gain and discrete activities, hinting at potential ramifications for pregnancy outcomes. This study elucidates the intricate orchestration of maternal demographics, dietary composition, and physical engagement in molding pregnancy outcomes, empowering healthcare practitioners to bespoke interventions that optimize maternal well-being and pregnancy consequences.