(LB02-21-24) Bean Consumption During Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes

Objectives: We aimed to assess associations between maternal bean consumption during pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using 1,121 U.S. pregnant mothers from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. These mothers completed a food frequency questionnaire to approximate frequency and amount of maternal bean consumption during the third trimester of pregnancy. Mothers also reported birth outcomes, including birth weight, birth length, gestational age, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission, via a birth screener questionnaire and neonatal questionnaire. Associations between maternal bean consumption and risk for birth outcomes were examined using multivariable logistic and linear regression models.

Results: Overall bean consumption during pregnancy was low: an average of 0.30 cups/week of dried beans, 0.14 cups/week of chili, and 0.09 cups/week of bean soup. Maternal bean consumption varied by socio-demographic factors. Consumption of dried beans was highest among Hispanic mothers (0.69 cups/week), mothers living in the West South Central region (0.44 cups/week), and mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy (0.32 cups/week). Chili consumption was highest among mothers who were non-Hispanic Black (0.34 cups/week), had a household income of < $25,000 (0.19 cups/week), lived in households with 5+ people or 1-2 people (0.18 cups/week), and were WIC-recipients (0.17 cups/week). Compared with non-consumers, mothers who consumed dried beans 2-3 times per month had a higher risk of NICU admission (Odds Ratio=3.18, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.15-8.79). The risk of NICU admission did not differ by chili or bean soup consumption. No significant association was found between dried bean, chili, or bean soup consumption and the risk for other birth outcomes including birth weight, birth length, gestational age, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and large-for-gestational-age (LGA).

Conclusions: Maternal bean consumption was low among U.S. pregnant women. Fetal growth and gestational age did not seem to vary by maternal bean consumption during pregnancy. Moderate consumption of dried beans may be linked with a higher risk for NICU admission.

Funding Sources: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)