ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH FACTORS

Abstract

The global dietary landscape has undergone significant transformation in recent decades, largely driven by increased availability, marketing and affordability of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). These food products often rich in calories, sugars, sodium and unhealthy fats are displacing traditional, nutrient-dense diets, particularly in urban centers of low- and middle-income countries. In Pakistan, where maternal malnutrition, anemia and gestational health issues are already major concerns, the rise of UPF consumption during pregnancy poses an urgent threat to public health. This study investigates the association between UPF consumption during pregnancy and various sociodemographic and health factors among pregnant women at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. Using a cross-sectional design and structured interviews, data were collected from 160 women aged 18 to 45 years.

The findings reveal that UPF consumption is alarmingly prevalent, with over 90% of participants reporting frequent intake of soft drinks, bakery products and other processed items. Notably, 95.63% of the respondents were anemic during pregnancy, a condition strongly associated with high UPF intake and low consumption of iron-rich foods (Silva et al., 2022; Biete et al., 2023). A significant percentage of participants (59.38%) were overweight and 16.25% were obese, with gestational weight gain exceeding recommended guidelines (Zupo et al., 2023). Sociodemographic analysis indicated that lower education levels, unemployment and residence in urban slums were associated with higher UPF intake. These dietary patterns were also linked with adverse health outcomes, including gestational diabetes and hypertension (Nansel et al., 2022). The study highlights the urgent need for public health interventions, including nutrition education, policy reforms and improved access to affordable whole foods to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes in Pakistan.

Keywords: Ultra-processed foods, maternal health, anemia, gestational weight gain, pregnancy nutrition, Lahore, Pakistan