Mediterranean diet adherence and dietary calcium intake in a group of pregnant women: Results of an Italian survey

• Published in: Food science & nutrition 2021-07, Vol.9 (7), p.3426-3435
• Main Authors: Quattrini, Sara, Pampaloni, Barbara, Cianferotti, Luisella, Fossi, Caterina, Ottanelli, Silva, Gronchi, Giorgio, Duradoni, Mirko, Di Tommaso, Mariarosaria, Dubini, Valeria, Brandi, Maria Luisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical materials; Blood glucose; bone; Breastfeeding & lactation; Calcium; Calcium (dietary); Chronic illnesses; Dairy products; Diabetes; Diet; Dietary intake; Disease; Fetuses; Food intake; Fractures; Gestational diabetes; Gynecology; Health care; Hypertension; Legumes; Meat; Mediterranean diet; Mineralization; Nutrients; Nutrition research; Nutritionists; Original Research; Osteoporosis; Population; Pregnancy; Prevention; pulmonary hemorrhage; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Vitamin D; Vitamins; Womens health
• ISSN: 2048-7177; 2048-7177
• DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2233

Pregnancy is a delicate phase in woman's life that could become a risk factor for osteoporosis in pregnant women who do not meet recommended nutrient standards, especially for calcium and vitamin D. Mediterranean diet (MD) has been demonstrated to be beneficial for adequate nutrient intake. This article aims to evaluate the MD adherence and dietary calcium intake in a group of pregnant Italian women and to investigate how these are linked to each other and to fast glycemia at first trimester of pregnancy. Two hundred and seventy‐nine pregnant women were recruited at the gynecology units of two hospitals in Florence. Socio‐demographic, clinical information, and results of the first trimester blood sample analysis were collected. Two questionnaires, validated for evaluation of MD adherence and calcium intake, were administered to the pregnant women. Approximately 60% of the women had a high level of MD adherence, with a mean dietary calcium intake of 870.3 ± 335.3. In women with higher MD adherence level, fast glycemia resulted lower. Calcium intake was lower than Population Rate Intake for the Italian population (1,200 mg/daily) and was positively correlated to MD adherence score. The MD proved to be nutritious, as it was related to a higher calcium intake in this group of Italian women. MD adherence was positively correlated with higher calcium intake and lower fast glycemia at first trimester of pregnancy, in this population of 279 Italian pregnant women. The administration of validated questionnaires to evaluate MD adherence and calcium intake during pregnancy, through a short‐time interview (15‐20 minutes), could be inserted as a procedure of the Good Clinical Practice to prevent OP and GDM in pregnant women and to promote correct skeletal development in fetus.