Current trends in take-out food consumption and its influencing factors among first-trimester pregnant women in Changsha

Abstract

Abstract Background Take-out food consumption has adverse effects on public health, and previous studies have reported that frequent consumption of take-out food increases the risk of hypertension and heart disease. However, the status of take-out food consumption among pregnant women remains unclear. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive description of the present state of take-out food consumption among first-trimester pregnant women in Changsha and to investigate the factors influencing this behaviour. Methods This study included 888 pregnant women in early pregnancy based on the Changsha maternal and child birth cohort (March to August 2022). Electronic questionnaires were administered during early antenatal check-ups. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 18.0, including nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis H tests and multivariate ordinal logistic regression, to explore the factors influencing take-out food consumption by first-trimester pregnant women. Results In Changsha, 73.3% of pregnant women consumed take-out food during early pregnancy. The top three types of take-out foods commonly consumed were rice noodles or noodles (55.7%), Chinese fast foods (49.9%), and sugary drinks or desserts (37.4%). The results of multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that pregnant women with depression symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–2.32), higher education level (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.23–2.88), and higher online time (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.11–2.03) consumed take-out food more frequently in early pregnancy than those without depression symptoms, lower education level, and lower online time. Conclusions Our study suggests that take-out food consumption is common among first-trimester pregnant women in Changsha. Education level, depression symptoms, and online time are risk factors that may potentially influence the consumption of take-out food during early pregnancy.