Influence of Socioeconomic Factors and Nutritional Advice on Diet Quality in Women of Reproductive Age: A FIGO-DQS Assessment

Nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practice are important ways of assuring a healthy pregnancy start, which can be shaped during the pre-pregnancy period by the intervention of healthcare providers. In this cross-sectional study, the main objective was to explore contextual determinants of diet quality in women of fertile age, including socioeconomic factors and sources of information. Data on socioeconomic background, sources of nutritional advice, and determinants of food choices were collected through an anonymous web-based questionnaire completed by 465 women. Diet quality was assessed with the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics diet quality score (FIGO-DQS). Better food choices (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.16-2.51), higher knowledge level (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.119-2.466), and healthcare advice (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.119-2.466) increased the chances of having a better diet. Both healthcare providers (β = 0.503, = 0.018) and determinants of food choices (β = 0.520, = 0.011) had a significant influence on the FIGO score, although the advice provided by the healthcare professionals did not yield a significant influence on the determinants of food choices (β = 0.310, = 0.125); Conclusions: Knowledge had a mediator effect on the impact of healthcare guidance on nutrition practices, but it does not fully explain the adherence to healthy lifestyle choices.