ORCID
- Pinkney, Jonathan: 0000-0002-8927-1266
Abstract
Folate, vitamin D and iodine are key micronutrients in pregnancy, with deficiency associated with poor maternal and infant outcomes. For folate and vitamin D especially, deficiency is more common amongst women with obesity and recommended intakes and guidance on supplementation varies worldwide. The present study aims to investigate dietary and supplementary intakes of these micronutrients amongst a population of pregnant women with obesity in the United Kingdom, alongside key maternal demographic characteristics. Expectant women (n = 75) with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 at first antenatal appointment were recruited at 12 weeks gestation. Participants were asked about their supplement use preconception and during trimester one in a baseline questionnaire which also asked about demographic characteristics. Women also completed a four day diet diary from which dietary and supplemental intakes of micronutrients intakes were estimated. Folic acid was taken by 96% of women at any point in trimester 1, whilst only 26% of women took the higher 5 mg dose recommended for women with obesity in the UK. For vitamin D and iodine, 56% and 44% of women met the UK RNI, respectively. Maternal age was positively associated with taking supplements of any kind and the 5 mg folic acid supplement, whilst parity was inversely associated with both outcomes. This study strengthens the rationale for further work to be done raising awareness of the need for women with obesity to supplement both with a higher dose of folic acid and vitamin D and to be aware of the role of iodine during pregnancy.
DOI
10.3390/nu14235135
Publication Date
2022-11-28
Publication Title
Nutrients
Volume
14
Issue
23
First Page
5135
Last Page
5135
ISSN
2072-6643
Embargo Period
2022-12-10
Organisational Unit
School of Biomedical Sciences
Keywords
folic acid, Iodine, maternal obesity, pregnancy, supplementation, vitamin D
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Redfern, K. M., Hollands, H., Welch, C., Pinkney, J., & Rees, G. (2022) 'Dietary Intakes of Folate, Vitamin D and Iodine during the First Trimester of Pregnancy and the Association between Supplement Use and Demographic Characteristics amongst White Caucasian Women Living with Obesity in the UK', Nutrients, 14(23), pp. 5135-5135. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235135
