Differences in Dietary-Related Experiences, Determinants, and Information-Seeking Behaviors Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Abstract Background Multiple studies have highlighted the prevalence of suboptimal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the postpartum period, with some studies indicating factors that influence dietary behaviors. Objective This study aimed to map the differences in dietary-related experiences, determinants, and information-seeking behaviors, focusing on app use, during the pregnancy and postpartum periods among Dutch women. Methods In total, 1619 women recruited via social media filled in an online questionnaire consisting of 32 multiple-choice, 2 ranking, 11 rating, and 20 open-ended questions covering demographics, dietary-related activities during pregnancy and the postpartum period, determinants of these activities, and information-seeking behaviors focusing on app use. Questions were specific to pregnancy or postpartum, and responses were compared using chi-square tests, ANOVA, or 2-tailed t tests between perinatal phases. Results We obtained data from 842 pregnant and 777 postpartum women. Mean age was 32 (SD 4) years, mean self-reported prepregnancy BMI was 25 (SD 5) kg/m², and most participants were highly educated (1214/1619, 75.0%). Pregnant and postpartum women valued healthy nutrition (mean 8.5, SD 1.2 on a 10-point scale). Pregnant women rated their food enjoyment and diet quality lowest during the first trimester, with scores of 6.3 (SD 2.5) and 6.3 (SD 1.9) out of 10, respectively. Compared with pregnant women, postpartum women had less phase-specific nutritional knowledge (354/745, 47.5% vs 533/820, 65.0%), less time for food preparation (365/726, 50.3% vs 618/803, 77.0%), and less time for eating (524/721, 72.7% vs 773/799, 96.7%), but were more eager to learn about phase-specific healthy food choices (745, 42.0% vs 234/820, 28.5%) and felt more capable of food preparation (mean 7.3 SD 2.2 vs mean 6.9, SD 2.2). During pregnancy, the main reason for eating was the child’s health, while in postpartum, the main reason was hunger. Key sources of nutrition information were websites (1337/1565, 85.4%), health care professionals (805/1565, 51.4%), and apps (665/1565, 42.5%). Phase-specific app use dropped from 90.8% (713/785) during pregnancy to 58.9% (418/710) postpartum, with many women being unaware of the existence of postpartum apps. Important factors to consider for app use included credibility, ease of use, and free access. Conclusions Our results highlighted significant differences in dietary-related experiences, determinants, and information-seeking behaviors between pregnant and postpartum women, underscoring the need for tailored dietary support tools for each phase. The limited availability of postpartum nutrition resources, such as apps, highlighted the need to develop improved digital nutritional counseling solutions.