Comparative Analysis of the Frequency of Fresh and Frozen Fish Consumption Among Two Cohorts of Pregnant Women

Objectives: today’s consumers are increasingly interested in the relationship between food and health, recognizing food as a means to meet nutritional needs and prevent diseases. A diet rich in fish is beneficial to health, potentially protecting against cancer, cardiovascular, autoimmune, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases. During pregnancy, adequate nutrition benefits both the mother and the unborn child. This study compares pregnant women from a decade ago with those recently enrolled to evaluate differences in eating styles, specifically the consumption of fresh and frozen fish. Methods: we compared 114 pregnant women from 2013 with 168 women from 2023, using the same questionnaire to evaluate their eating habits during pregnancy, focusing on fresh and frozen fish consumption. Variables for statistical analyses included age, education, profession, family size, pre-pregnancy BMI, differential BMI, and frequency of fish consumption. Results: the comparison showed an increase in fish consumption, both fresh and frozen, among pregnant women in 2023 compared to 2013, indicating greater awareness of the health benefits of fish. Changes in dietary habits were influenced by profession, education level, and family size. Women in the 2023 cohort experienced smaller weight gain during pregnancy, suggesting potential health benefits. These shifts likely result from improved nutrition education and access to healthy foods, highlighting the importance of public health efforts to enhance maternal and fetal health. Conclusions: significant changes in the dietary habits of pregnant women over a decade were observed, with increased fish consumption in 2023 compared to 2013. These findings emphasize the role of nutrition education and improved access to healthy foods in promoting maternal and fetal health.