Nutrient intake and gestational weight gain adequacy in relation to fat taste sensitivity among pregnant women
Keywords:
fat, nutrient, pregnant womenAbstract
Background and aim: Research on nutrient intakes and adequacy among pregnant women is extensive. However, little is understood about the role of fat taste sensitivity in this context. This study aimed to investigate nutrient intake and gestational weight gain (GWG) adequacy between hyposensitive and hypersensitive pregnant women, categorised by healthy weight and overweight/obese, based on pre-pregnancy body mass index. Methods: Fat taste sensitivity was measured using the ascending forced choice method (3-AFC), while dietary intake was assessed via a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). GWG was evaluated based on Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines, and nutrient adequacy was determined according to Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI). Results: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between hyposensitive and hypersensitive groups in the healthy weight category for all nutrients. In contrast, within the overweight/obese group, hyposensitive participants consumed significantly higher protein (81.50 vs 68.83 g/day, p = 0.002) and total fat (57.58 vs 48.33 g/day, p = 0.012) compared to hypersensitive individuals. Higher intakes of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc (all p < 0.01), were also observed. Overall, energy and fat intake were suboptimal, and inadequate GWG was prevalent, particularly among overweight/obese pregnant women. Conclusions: Fat taste sensitivity appeared to influence dietary intake in overweight/obese, but not healthy weight, pregnant women. Despite higher nutrient intake among hyposensitive- overweight/obese participants, overall inadequacies in energy, fat, and GWG were observed.
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