Dietary habits of pregnant women in Ireland

This analysis of the Lifeways Cohort study mothers during pregnancy (n = 1124), utilises information from a standard food frequency questionnaire completed at baseline recruitment during early pregnancy. We demonstrate that 76% of women achieved recommended intakes of 5 plus portions of fruit and ve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Irish medical journal 2007-09, Vol.100 (8), p.suppl 12-suppl 15
Main Authors: Murrin, C, Fallon, U B, Hannon, F, Nolan, G, O'Mahony, D, Crowley, D, Bury, G, Daly, S, Morrison, J J, Murphy, A W, Kelleher, C C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Demography
Diet
Female
Food Preferences
Health Surveys
Humans
Ireland
Longitudinal Studies
Maternal Welfare
Nutrition Policy
Nutritional Status
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Prenatal Care
Prevalence
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:This analysis of the Lifeways Cohort study mothers during pregnancy (n = 1124), utilises information from a standard food frequency questionnaire completed at baseline recruitment during early pregnancy. We demonstrate that 76% of women achieved recommended intakes of 5 plus portions of fruit and vegetables daily, though this is strongly socially patterned, inversely associated with age and positively associated with level of education. Achievement of the other recommended shelf intakes of the Food Pyramid is much lower, ranging from 12% achieving the recommended sparing intake of foods high in fat, salt or sugar, to 45% consuming the recommended 3 portions per day of meat and poultry. General medical services eligible respondents are generally less likely to achieve recommended intakes. While 61% of women under 25 years old stopped drinking during pregnancy, this dropped to 38% of expectant mothers over 35 years. Less than half (45%) of those (n = 860) who responded specifically to the question reported peri-conceptual folate supplement intake, again strongly socially patterned. These findings both provide important prevalence data and highlight the need for more concerted and supportive health promotion interventions during pregnancy.
ISSN:0332-3102