Food security during pregnancy: A qualitative content analysis study in Iran

Abstract Food security during pregnancy is crucial for safeguarding the health of expectant mothers and optimizing prenatal outcomes. Food insecurity can manifest in varying degrees, ranging from moderate disruptions to the quality and diversity of diet to severe cases that disrupt dietary patterns...

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Main Authors: Maryam Bagheri, Minoor Lamyian, Jila Sadighi, Fazlollah Ahmadi, Fatemeh Mohammadi‐Nasrabadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Maternal and Child Nutrition
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13725
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author Maryam Bagheri
Minoor Lamyian
Jila Sadighi
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Fatemeh Mohammadi‐Nasrabadi
author_facet Maryam Bagheri
Minoor Lamyian
Jila Sadighi
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Fatemeh Mohammadi‐Nasrabadi
author_sort Maryam Bagheri
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Food security during pregnancy is crucial for safeguarding the health of expectant mothers and optimizing prenatal outcomes. Food insecurity can manifest in varying degrees, ranging from moderate disruptions to the quality and diversity of diet to severe cases that disrupt dietary patterns and reduce overall food intake. Limited information exists regarding food security among pregnant women in Iran. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to investigate food security during pregnancy from the perspectives of pregnant women (n = 17) and experts in food security (n = 6). Data were collected through purposeful sampling and 23 semi‐structured interviews. The data analysis process occurred concurrently with data collection, employing a conventional content analysis approach. The findings underwent rigorous evaluation based on credibility, confirmability, dependability, transferability and authenticity. The results revealed that access to quality foods in pregnancy depends on the sustainability of food resources, economic access to food, the family's food budget, pregnant women's utilization of food due to pregnancy conditions, their nutritional literacy and cultural practices. Pregnant women employ various strategies to cope with food insecurity and require social and governmental support to manage it effectively. Therefore, it is suggested that health care authorities initially assess the level of food security among pregnant women and subsequently, through equitable food distribution, reform culture and increase food literacy, providing practical and informative educational programmes, and structured support, improve their food security.
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spelling doaj-art-eaf11c89e1cb4b64b25c37ed7c0fa2dd2025-08-20T01:57:51ZengWileyMaternal and Child Nutrition1740-86951740-87092025-01-01211n/an/a10.1111/mcn.13725Food security during pregnancy: A qualitative content analysis study in IranMaryam Bagheri0Minoor Lamyian1Jila Sadighi2Fazlollah Ahmadi3Fatemeh Mohammadi‐Nasrabadi4Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran IranDepartment of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran IranHealth Metrics Research Center, ACECR, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research Tehran IranDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences Tarbiat Modares University Tehran IranFood and Nutrition Policy and Planning Research Department National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute (NNFTRI), Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranAbstract Food security during pregnancy is crucial for safeguarding the health of expectant mothers and optimizing prenatal outcomes. Food insecurity can manifest in varying degrees, ranging from moderate disruptions to the quality and diversity of diet to severe cases that disrupt dietary patterns and reduce overall food intake. Limited information exists regarding food security among pregnant women in Iran. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to investigate food security during pregnancy from the perspectives of pregnant women (n = 17) and experts in food security (n = 6). Data were collected through purposeful sampling and 23 semi‐structured interviews. The data analysis process occurred concurrently with data collection, employing a conventional content analysis approach. The findings underwent rigorous evaluation based on credibility, confirmability, dependability, transferability and authenticity. The results revealed that access to quality foods in pregnancy depends on the sustainability of food resources, economic access to food, the family's food budget, pregnant women's utilization of food due to pregnancy conditions, their nutritional literacy and cultural practices. Pregnant women employ various strategies to cope with food insecurity and require social and governmental support to manage it effectively. Therefore, it is suggested that health care authorities initially assess the level of food security among pregnant women and subsequently, through equitable food distribution, reform culture and increase food literacy, providing practical and informative educational programmes, and structured support, improve their food security.https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13725content analysisfood securityIranpregnancyqualitative study
spellingShingle Maryam Bagheri
Minoor Lamyian
Jila Sadighi
Fazlollah Ahmadi
Fatemeh Mohammadi‐Nasrabadi
Food security during pregnancy: A qualitative content analysis study in Iran
Maternal and Child Nutrition
content analysis
food security
Iran
pregnancy
qualitative study
title Food security during pregnancy: A qualitative content analysis study in Iran
title_full Food security during pregnancy: A qualitative content analysis study in Iran
title_fullStr Food security during pregnancy: A qualitative content analysis study in Iran
title_full_unstemmed Food security during pregnancy: A qualitative content analysis study in Iran
title_short Food security during pregnancy: A qualitative content analysis study in Iran
title_sort food security during pregnancy a qualitative content analysis study in iran
topic content analysis
food security
Iran
pregnancy
qualitative study
url https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13725
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AT jilasadighi foodsecurityduringpregnancyaqualitativecontentanalysisstudyiniran
AT fazlollahahmadi foodsecurityduringpregnancyaqualitativecontentanalysisstudyiniran
AT fatemehmohammadinasrabadi foodsecurityduringpregnancyaqualitativecontentanalysisstudyiniran