Food Aversion and Craving among Pregnant Women in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

摘要

The prevalence of and type of foods craved for and aversed during pregnancy was studied. Two hundred and forty three-pregnant women in Akure North and South local government of Ondo State, Nigeria, attending antenatal clinic were involved in the study. Their nutritional statuses were determined by measuring the Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Tricep Skinfold Thickness (TSKT). About 57.2 and 61.3% of the pregnant women aversed and craved for at least one food, respectively. The association between food aversion and craving was found to be statistically significant (χ2 = 7.36; p<0.05). While, statistically significant difference in nutritional status was observed among pregnant women that had aversion and those that did not have no significant difference was observed among pregnant women with and without craving for specific food. Culture has influence on the craving and aversion among the pregnant women studied.