The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65909

Nujjaree Nettip, RN, MS¹, Louise H. Flick, DrPH², Cynthia A. Loveland Cook, PhD³, Sharon M. Homan, PhD⁴, Maryellen McSweeney, PhD⁵, Claudia Campbell, PhD⁶, Lisa Parnell, MSW⁷, and Mary Elizabeth Gallagher, PhD⁷. (1) School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, 3525 Caroline St., St. Louis, MO 63104, 314-647-2843, nettipn@slu.edu, (2) Schools of Nursing and Public Health, St. Louis University, 3525 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, MO 63104, (3) School of Social Service, Saint Louis University, 3550 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103, (4) School of Public Health, St. Louis University, 3545 Lafayette, St. Louis, MO 63104, (5) School of Nursing, St. Louis University, 3525 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, MO 63104, (6) School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Layfayette, St. Louis, MO 63104, (7) School of Social Service, St. Louis University, Tegeler Hall, Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104

Pre-pregnancy weight (BMI) and caloric intake are known to predict gestational weight gain and infant birth weight. Pre-pregnancy weight influences birth weight independent from effects of weight gain and other factors. Stress, depression and tobacco dependence affect eating behaviors that lead to inappropriate nutritional status. These factors are also associated with psychiatric illness. No figures are available for the effect of mental illness on eating patterns in pregnancy. This study examines whether psychiatric illness predicts caloric intake and BMI and whether these variables predict infant outcomes. Data on 484 pregnant Medicaid-eligible women recruited from WIC Program were analyzed. The sample was stratified by race and urban/rural residence. A standardized psychiatric interview (DIS-IV) determined current (last 12 months) diagnosis of 19 disorders. Total estimated calories were calculated from the Harvard FFQ. Pre-pregnancy BMI was obtained from WIC records. Birth certificate data provided birth weight. Data indicate 28% have a current disorder. We employed multinomial logistic regression to predict total caloric intake (3 categories) and pre-pregnancy BMI (4 categories) from current psychiatric disorder adjusting for race, education and smoking. Stepwise regression analyses were used to predict infant birth weight from BMI, total calories, weight gain, and current psychiatric disorder. Current psychiatric disorder does not predict caloric intake or pre-pregnancy BMI. Individual diagnoses may be more predictive since their effects on birth weight may vary. Pre-pregnancy BMI predicts infant birth weight. When BMI is combined with appropriateness of gestational weight gain, the power of the prediction is increased.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identify impact of mental illness on caloric intake and pre pregnancy BMI.
• 2. Discuss the prediction of infant birth weight from total caloric intake and pre pregnancy BMI.
• 3. Articulate other nutrition indicators that need to be investigated for their influences on birth outcomes.

Keywords: Mental Illness, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.