The Relationship Between Diet Quality, Nutrition Self-Efficacy and Sources of Nutrition Information in Australian Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Purpose
To assess diet quality and nutrition self-efficacy in pregnant women, the relationship between diet quality and nutrition self-efficacy, and differences in diet quality and self-efficacy when information obtained from health and non-health professionals.
Design
Observational cross-sectional study.
Setting
Online survey.
Sample
Australian pregnant women.
Measures
Australian Eating Survey measured diet quality, Ralf Schwarzer and Britta Renner nutrition self-efficacy scale measured nutrition self-efficacy.
Analysis
Spearman’s correlation measured the association between diet quality and nutrition self-efficacy. Linear regression examined the influence of nutrition self-efficacy on diet quality. T-tests examined differences in diet quality and nutrition self-efficacy scores in groups who did/did not obtain nutrition information from health professionals.
Results
Participants (n = 171) (mean (SD) age 32.5 (3.9) years, 81.9% born in Australia) reported a mean diet quality score of 33.9 (8.7) out of 73 and mean nutrition self-efficacy score of 14.7 (3.7) out of 20. A moderate positive linear relationship was observed between diet quality and nutrition self-efficacy (rs = 0.27, P < .001). Nutrition information was obtained by 88%, most commonly via the internet. Diet quality scores were not significantly different when nutrition information was obtained from health professionals (t(24) = −0.823, P = .32), however, nutrition self-efficacy scores were significantly higher (U = 856, z = 2.18, P = .03).
Conclusion
Pregnant women report poor diet quality. Improving nutrition self-efficacy may be effective for improving diet quality. Evidence-based nutrition information should be accessible via the internet and promoted by health authorities.