DOI: DOI: 10.36347/gamj.2024.v05i01.002

Pages: 7-19

Background: The study analysed the assessments of food consumption patterns, dietary diversity, and lifestyle practices of first-time pregnant women in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to draw 90 respondents. A structured questionnaire was employed for data collection, and the data retrieved were subjected to descriptive statistics. Results: The study showed that of first-time pregnant women, about 53.2% of the respondents were in their 1-3 month gestation period. The majority (53.3%) of the first-time pregnant women attended antenatal care between 1 and 2 times. Results of cooked food items consumed during the period of pregnancy showed that 68.9% of the pregnant women consumed cooked rice between 1-4 times per week, 67.8% consumed cooked cowpea between 1-4 times per week, and 81.1% consumed yam (pounded, porridge, and fried) between 1-4 times per week. Results on dietary changes made after becoming pregnant showed that the majority (88.9%) of the first-time pregnant women in the study area eliminated consuming cowpea, 86.7% of the respondents eliminated the consumption of sweet potatoes, 84.4% of the respondents eliminated the consumption of rice, and 81.1% eliminated the consumption of pounded yam. The results on new foods introduced during pregnancy showed that 100.0% of the first-time pregnant women in the study area consumed yam porridge, and 95.6% consumed vitamin C medication. Conclusions: It was recommended that first-time pregnant women always eat balanced diets and take proper medication for their health and that of the foetus.