Food Cravings And Personality Traits In Pregnant Women: Is There An Association?

Background: Food craving is a common phenomenon during pregnancy, but explanation on how this behaviour can happen remains unclear. This behaviour may be influenced by personality traits that have been known to linked with obesity and addiction affecting pregnancy outcome. Therefore, we identified the prevalence of food craving and evaluated its relationship with personality traits in pregnant women. Methods: : We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 500 healthy pregnant women in urban area of Jakarta, Indonesia. Food cravings were assessed using a translated and validated Food Craving Inventory of Indonesian version. Personality traits were determined by using a Big Five Personality Trait Short Questionnaire that has been translated and validated for Indonesians. Association of personality traits and food cravings were analysed by binary logistic regression. Results: : The mean age of pregnant women was 28.3 + 5.3 years. Food craving prevalence in in this population was 63.8%. The most common personality trait in this study was conscientiousness (65.5%). Neuroticism trait was significantly associated with food cravings with OR 9.146 [95% CI: 2.76-30.4; p-value <0.05]. Conclusion: Large proportion of Indonesian pregnant women had food craving living in urban area of Jakarta. A high neuroticism trait has a strong association with food cravings during pregnancy that indicates potential influence of personality traits to this problem. If personality traits influence the food choice in pregnant women, it may subsequently influence nutritional intake of the pregnant women and it may affect pregnancy outcome.