Methods: A community-based longitudinal study was
conducted with a total of 368 first-time mothers and their newborns. Information about
maternal “junk food” diet, including high consumption of soft drink, fast food, and/or
processed meat and chips, and self-reported prepregnant weight and height of first-time
mothers was collected by a face-to-face interview with mothers between 24 and 34 weeks of
pregnancy. Birthweight was measured in hospital and reported by the mother, together with
gestational age, when the baby was 6 months old. Logistic regression modeling was used to
determine the factors predicting birthweight greater than 4.0 kg.