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European Journal of Nutrition
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition 1/2021

01-02-2021 | Nutrition | Original Contribution

Preconceptional diet quality is associated with birth outcomes among low socioeconomic status minority women in a high-income country

Authors: Kathleen Abu-Saad, Vered Kaufman-Shriqui, Laurence S. Freedman, Ilana Belmaker, Drora Fraser

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

Studies of the association between maternal nutrition and birth outcomes have investigated differing nutrients, maternal socioeconomic conditions, and timing within the reproductive cycle; and have produced inconsistent results. We evaluated the association of preconceptional maternal dietary intake with birth outcomes among low socioeconomic status ethnic minority women in a high-income country.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, habitual preconceptional dietary intake was assessed among pregnant Bedouin Arab women in Israel (n = 384), using a short culturally specific, targeted food frequency questionnaire. Multiple nutrients (protein, lysine, calcium, iron, zinc, folate, omega-3 fatty acids) were evaluated simultaneously via a diet quality score derived from principal component analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test associations between the diet quality score and a composite adverse birth outcomes variable, including preterm birth, low birth weight and small for gestational age.

Results

Sixty-nine women (18%) had adverse birth outcomes. Women with low preconceptional diet quality scores had low intakes of nutrient-rich plant foods, bioavailable micronutrients, and complete proteins. In multivariable analysis, a woman at the 10th percentile of the diet quality score had a 2.97 higher odds (95% CI 1.28–6.86) of an adverse birth outcome than a woman at the 90th percentile.

Conclusion

Low diet quality during the preconceptional period was associated with adverse birth outcomes among low socioeconomic status minority women in a high-income country. The results have implications for the development of appropriate intervention strategies to prevent adverse birth outcomes, and the promotion of adequate nutrition throughout the child-bearing years.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Preconceptional diet quality is associated with birth outcomes among low socioeconomic status minority women in a high-income country
Authors
Kathleen Abu-Saad
Vered Kaufman-Shriqui
Laurence S. Freedman
Ilana Belmaker
Drora Fraser
Publication date
01-02-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-020-02221-4

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