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Habitual dietary intake of obese pregnant women in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

S. Barr
Affiliation:
Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, King's College London, SE1 9NH, UK
L. Poston
Affiliation:
Division of Women's Health, King's College London, SE1 7EH, UK
A. Briley
Affiliation:
Division of Women's Health, King's College London, SE1 7EH, UK
E. Oteng-Ntim
Affiliation:
Division of Women's Health, King's College London, SE1 7EH, UK
B. Holmes
Affiliation:
Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, King's College London, SE1 9NH, UK
T. Kinnunen
Affiliation:
Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, UK
H. Croker
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, WC1E 7HN, UK
R. Bell
Affiliation:
Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, UK
J. Wardle
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, WC1E 7HN, UK
J. Sandall
Affiliation:
Division of Women's Health, King's College London, SE1 7EH, UK
N. Sattar
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Glasgow University, G12 8QQ, UK
S. Nelson
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Glasgow University, G12 8QQ, UK
T. A. B. Sanders
Affiliation:
Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, King's College London, SE1 9NH, UK
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Abstract

Type
Abstract
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2011

One in five women of reproductive age in the UK is obese(Reference Butland, Jebb and Kopelman1), yet the habitual dietary intake of obese pregnant women is poorly understood and managed. A pilot study (UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT) and community based activity and nutrition programme (CAN)) is currently underway to determine the effects of dietary and physical activity intervention in obese pregnant women. The dietary component of the intervention aims to lower dietary glycaemic index (GI), saturated fat and non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES) with advice delivered by a health trainer in eight structured sessions between 19 and 28 weeks gestation. This research aims to describe the baseline dietary intake of the UPBEAT and CAN participants.

Dietary data are collected using triple pass 24-h dietary recalls on six occasions; at baseline (15 and 16 weeks gestation), immediately post-intervention (at 28 and 29 weeks gestation) and at follow-up (36 and 37 weeks gestation) by research midwives trained in dietary assessment methods. Dietary data were analysed using WISP (version 3) dietary analysis software (Tinuviel).

Habitual dietary intake for 100 women at baseline is presented below in comparison with dietary reference values (DRV) for pregnancy and population values for women aged 19–64 included in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Mean BMI was 36.2±5.8 kg/m2.

1 Values for % food energy from national diet and nutrition survey (NDNS) rolling programme (Women aged 19–64 years), 2Dietary reference value for women aged 19–50 years (excluding alcohol and including adjustment for pregnancy where appropriate (Department of Health, 1991)), 3values for glycaemic index and glycaemic load from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, E%: percentage contribution to total energy, NMES: non-milk extrinsic sugars.

These findings indicate that the macronutrient profile is similar to that from the general population and do not meet recommendations for fibre, NMES and SFA. Estimates of energy intake are below the DRV owing to a high proportion of under-reporting. Estimates of habitual dietary GI and glycaemic load were higher than values for women in the general UK population(Reference Van Bakel, Kaaks and Feskens2). However, this study of obese pregnant women in the UK in 2010 provides no evidence to support assertions that the proportion of fat energy has increased in line with the obesity epidemic and the findings are similar to earlier reports in obese pregnant women(Reference Guelinckx, Devlieger and Mullie3). These findings indicate that there is scope for decreasing the intake of SFA intake and glycaemic load in obese pregnant women in the UK as planned in the trial.

References

1.Butland, B, Jebb, S, Kopelman, P et al. (2007) Foresight Tackling Obesities: Future Choices – Project Report. 2nd ed. London: Government Office for Science.Google Scholar
2.Van Bakel, M, Kaaks, R, Feskens, EJ et al. (2009) Dietary glycaemic index and glycaemic load in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, S188–S205.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Guelinckx, I, Devlieger, R, Mullie, P et al. (2010) Effect of lifestyle intervention on dietary habits, physical activity, and gestational weight gain in obese pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 91(2), 373380.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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