Compliance with the mediterranean-type diet during the preconceptional period and evaluation of caffeine consumption

Karaca, D. (2024). Compliance with the Mediterranean-Type Diet during the Preconceptional Period and Evaluation of Caffeine Consumption, Istanbul Atlas University Postgraduate Education Institute, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Istanbul. The preconceptional period is a critical process that covers the effects of a woman's pre-pregnancy health and lifestyle habits on future pregnancy and infant health. Optimizing the health of the mother during this period also contributes to the healthy start of the baby to be born. With this research, it was aimed to evaluate compliance with the Mediterranean diet and caffeine consumption during the preconceptional period. November 2023 – January 2024 327 people participated in this study conducted by face-to-face survey method with women who are in the preconceptional period between the ages of 18-49 who applied to the obstetric clinic of a health institution. The demographic characteristics of the patients participating in the study were recorded using the "General Information Form", the Preconceptional Knowledge and Attitude Scale, the 14-Item Mediterranean Diet Compliance Scale, the Caffeine Use Disorder Scale by the researcher by making questions and answers with the participants. The average height length of the women in the preconceptional period participating in the study was 163.6±5.75 cm, the average weight was 64.7±14.48 kg, the average number of births was 0.62±1.03 pieces, the average number of miscarriages was 0.13±0.52 pieces and the average BMI was 24.18±5.36 kg/m2. 138 of the participants (42.2%) are married and 189 (57.8%) are single. While the average Mediterranean diet score of married people was statistically significantly higher than singles, it was found that the average caffeine consumption score of singles was statistically significantly higher than married people. While 61 (18.7%) of the participants exercised regularly, 266 (81.3%) did not exercise. In this study, it was concluded that the vast majority of women in the preconceptional period do not have an adequate level of nutritional knowledge and the majority of them have a low level of compliance with the Mediterranean diet. Increasing the nutritional knowledge levels of women in the preconceptional period and raising awareness about the importance of nutritional treatment is important for public health. Key Words: Preconceptional, Mediterranean Diet, Caffeine, Pregnancy, Baby