Preferences of women for web-based nutritional information in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
During pregnancy, women are increasingly turning to web-based resources for information. This study examined the use of web-based nutritional information by women during pregnancy and explored their preferences.


METHODS
Cross-sectional observational study.


METHODS
Women were enrolled at their convenience from a large maternity hospital. Clinical and sociodemographic details were collected and women's use of web-based resources was assessed using a detailed questionnaire.


RESULTS
Of the 101 women, 41.6% were nulliparous and the mean age was 33.1 years (19-47 years). All women had internet access and only 3% did not own a smartphone. Women derived pregnancy-related nutritional information from a range of online resources, most commonly: What to Expect When You're Expecting (15.1%), Babycenter (12.9%), and Eumom (9.7%). However, 24.7% reported using Google searches. There was minimal use of publically funded or academically supported resources. The features women wanted in a web-based application were recipes (88%), exercise advice (71%), personalized dietary feedback (37%), social features (35%), videos (24%) and cooking demonstrations (23%).


CONCLUSIONS
This survey highlights the risk that pregnant women may get nutritional information from online resources which are not evidence-based. It also identifies features that women want from a web-based nutritional resource.
School of Biological Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. Electronic address: rachel_kennedy@live.ie.
R A K
RA
Kennedy
School of Biological Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.
L
L
Mullaney
UCD Centre for Human Reproduction, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
C M E
CM
Reynolds
School of Biological Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.
S
S
Cawley
School of Biological Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.
D M A
DM
McCartney
UCD Centre for Human Reproduction, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
M J
MJ
Turner
D000328:Adult; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Fetal programming; Maternal; Nutrition; Web-based