Relationship between signs of postpartum depression, sleep, and diet quality in women during the postpartum period

Abstract

After the birth of a child, there are numerous changes in the routine of those involved, some of which are perceived only by the mother, highlighting the deterioration of sleep and nutritional quality and the risk of postpartum depression. The aim of the study is to investigate whether signs of postpartum depression and sleep quality are related to the nutritional quality of women in the postpartum period. Women from a city in southeastern Brazil were recruited during pregnancy and invited to continue the study three to four months after delivery. Sociodemographic, obstetric, anthropometric, and dietary data were collected, and the assessment indices were: Adapted Diet Quality Index for Pregnant Women (IQDAG), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed for data comparison, and Spearman correlation was used to examine the association between the women's signs of postpartum depression, sleep quality, and diet quality. The fruit group was the least consumed by the women, and only 1.9%, 10.6%, and 9.6% achieved the maximum score for the nutrients omega-3, calcium, and folic acid, respectively. In contrast, more than 70% of women achieved the maximum score for legume consumption. No significant results or correlations were found when analyzing signs of postpartum depression and sleep quality in relation to diet quality.