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

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. The food security of pregnant women in Iran requires careful assessment, inter-sectoral cooperation, facilitating social support, economic empowerment of households, increasing cultural and nutritional literacy, providing useful educational programmes and allocating sufficient funds to reduce poverty and equitable access to food in the community. image Economic conditions such as inflation, high food prices, low household purchasing power are among the most significant factors impacting the dietary habits of Iranian pregnant women. Inadequate taste, dietary habits, and inappropriate dietary patterns have been mentioned, including the preference for food taste and flavor over its healthiness, which can impact the quality of pregnant women's diets. Participants in this study also encountered strategies such as resource allocation, providing additional budgets for food procurement, obtaining inexpensive and sustaining food, resilience, rationing of food items, and using food substitutes when facing food insecurity.