INTRODUCTION Background of the Study Pregnancy is considered to be a delightful experience for the expectant mother.

However, feeling of well being and Quality of life (QoL) outcomes, as significant determinate of health, were shown to decline in some dimensions during pregnancy. Studies demonstrated that emotional, physical functioning, vitality and social functioning as dimensions of life quality were in constant in different phases of pregnancy. Alteration of maternal Qol during gestation was found to contribute to diversity of demographic and biological factors. Maternal hormonal levels, gestational age, demographic factors, sleep,nausea and vomiting were shown to have contribution to antenatal life quality. Moreover, evidences manifested that adequate intake of nutrition is a key component for individuals health and well-being,particularly during pregnancy. Health and nutritional problems during pregnancy impact not only on womens quality of life, but consequently on her newbornwell beingafter delivery, her family members and community as well. It is well documented that inadequate maternal nutrition results in increased risks of short term consequences such as; Intra Uterine Growth Restriction, low birth weight, preterm birth, prenatal and infant mortality and morbidity. Moreover, excessive intake of nutrients during pregnancy can lead to some pregnancy complications (such as, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, macrosomia, dystocia and higher prevalence of caesarean section. On the other hand, as the long run outcomes, inadequate intake of nutrients were found to have pathophysiologic or metabolic depict that will appear as disorders of child growth and development as well as adult chronic disease after a long period of quiescence. Given that mothers metabolic responses against spacious extend of nutritional circumstances enables her to become accustomed to variation of nutrients and conduct a pregnancy to end , but her feeling of well being and health might be impressed by imbalanced nutritional intake due to inappropriate dietary habits.

Though, there are considerable number of studies on HRQoL, there exist restricted information regarding possible association between nutritional behaviors and QoL experienced by mothers during antenatal period. This study seeks to find out the contribution of quality of life indices to nutritional knowledge, attitude and practices among normal pregnant women. A healthy diet during pregnancy is essential to provide all the nutrients needed by a mother and her growing baby. It is a common misconception that pregnant women need to eat for two. In fact, most of the additional nutrients needed during pregnancy can be obtained by selecting appropriate foods and eating a high quality nutrient-dense diet. However there are some specific recommendations, which include taking folic acid supplements in early pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. It is also important for pregnant women to be adopt good food hygiene practices to minimize the risk of food poisoning from harmful bacteria and to avoid substances in foods and drinks that might be potentially harmful to them or their growing baby. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to determine the dietary practices of pregnant women in BonuanGueset. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions: 1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of: a. Demographic profile i. Age

ii. Civil status iii. Religion iv. Anthropometric measurement b. Socio-economic profile i. Monthly family income ii. Source of income 2. What is the status of the pregnant women in terms of: a. Vitamins and mineral supplementation

3. What are the dietary practices of pregnant women in terms of: a. Breakfast foods b. Breads/ salty snacks/ spreads c. Dairy products d. Beverages e. Fruits and juices f. Vegetables g. Sweets h. Poultry i. 4. Is Fast foods a significant relationship between the anthropometric there

measurements of the respondent to her dietary practice? 5. What proposed measures can be done to improve the dietary practices of pregnant women in BonuanGueset?

Significance of the Study The study signified about the dietary practices of pregnant women in Perez St., DagupanCity.

Nursing Practice As an individual practicing nursing profession, this study is helpful by having further information regarding the Dietary Practices of Pregnant Women at Perez Street Dagupan CityPangasinan. Part of effective Nursing Care is the understanding of cultural context to which thepatients lives in. Establishing the background of the patient can lead to more comprehensive information not from on the health condition and health practices of the patient but also on the very reasons why patients have in one way or the other been ignorant or misguided by their knowledge on what seems to be prevention or cure. Nursing Education The study is significant to the Nursing Education because it provides significant information specifically related to the Dietary Practices of Pregnant women at Perez St., Dagupan, City. The implication of this study is on health education which would if done properly and consistently eradicate the irrational, inadequate diet that is embedded in the minds of uneducated persons. By showing that improper dietary practices has a negative effect on the health of those pregnant women most especially to the fetus; the study encourage those in the medical field to participate in the promotion of health through dissemination of true information.

Knowing the proper diet of a women before and during pregnancy has a great influence on the course of pregnancy and health of a child both after birth and in the future. Lack of dietary knowledge and dietary about the consequences of malnutrition among future mothers of Perez St., may result in a lot of dietary indiscretion, which can cause deficiency or excess of energy and nutrients, as well as abnormal course of pregnancy. Keeping a proper diet during pregnancy, women in Perez St., must not only know the healthy eating guidelines, but also realize the possible outcome of not eating proper diet and how a diet influences the course of pregnancy and childs health.

Nursing Research This study is also be significant to the nursing research because it provided significant data which are important regarding conducting further research study that can benefit particularly to the women of Perez St., Dagupan City. This data serves as the baseline data in the future. It is hope to give ideas in the student nurses to further make researches on dietary practices of pregnant women in Perez St., Dagupan City, and hopefully allows student nurses to broaden their minds to use theirlimited sources to make recommendations regarding the dietary practices of pregnant women at Perez St.,Dagupan City.

Scope of Limitations The study focused only on the dietary practices among pregnant women of Perez St., Dagupan City.A dietary practice in the study pertains to the choices of pregnant women to eat each day.

The respondents of the study are limited only to women in Perez St., Dagupan City who are pregnant for the year 2013. The total number of respondents is fifty (50).

DEFINITION OF TERMS Age. This refers to the length of time that a person has lived or things that existed. Civil Status. This refers to the status of a pregnant women weather she is married or single parent. Religion. This refers to the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power esp., a personal god or gods. Anthropometric Measurement. This refersto a set of non-invasive, quantitative techniques for determining an individuals body fat composition by measuring, recording, and analyzing specific dimensions of the body, such as height and weight; skin-fold thickness; and bodily circumference at the waist, hip, and chest. Socio-economic Status. This refers to the status of the pregnant women in terms of monthly income/earnings. Income. This refers to money received, esp. on a regular basis, for work or through investments. Food. This refers to minerals, usually of plant or animal origin, that contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins or minerals, and is ingested and assimilated by an organism to produce energy, stimulate growth and maintain life.

Vitamins. Any of a group of organic compounds which are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body. Minerals. This refers to a solid inorganic substance in natural occurrence. Nutrients. This refers to a substance in food required by the body for energy, growth, maintenance and repair. Nutrition. This refers to the study of essential nutrients and process by which nutrients are used by the body. Diet. This refers to the kind of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. Dietary Practices. This refers to a person choices of consumption. Pregnant. This refers to having a child or other offspring developing in the body; with child or young, as a woman or female mammal. Pregnancy. This refers to fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as an embryo or fetus, in a womans uterus.