OBJECTIVES: To identify nutritional risks among pregnant teenagers and to explore teenagers' perceptions of nutritional needs during pregnancy. METHODS: The study was conducted among 40 pregnant teenagers from the "Centro de Desenvolvimento Familiar" in Fortaleza, CE. Nutrition was assessed with a nutrition guide for pregnant women and a food diary. RESULTS: Twenty pregnant teenagers (50%) had an adequate body weight. Eleven of them (27.5%) were underweight, and 9 (22.5%) were overweight. Food most consumed by the pregnant teenagers included pastas, meat, fats, and sweets. There was a low consumption of fruits and vegetables. The majority of the sample (82.5%) had perceptions that eating habits must be different during pregnancy and 28 (70%) reported making changes in their eating habits during the prenatal. CONCLUSION: Nutritional risks were evident, a great number of pregnant teenagers were overweight or underweight, low variety in food consumption, and lack of information.
Nutrition assessment; Adolescent nutrition; Pregnancy in adolescence; Health profile; Prenatal care
