Contribution of fish to intakes of micronutrients important for fetal development: a dietary survey of pregnant women in the Republic of Seychelles.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise the diets of pregnant women in the Republic of Seychelles and to determine the contribution of fish to intakes of nutrients important for fetal and neonatal development.


METHODS
Observational, prospective study.


METHODS
Seychelles Child Development Centre, Mahé, Republic of Seychelles.


METHODS
Pregnant women (n 300) were recruited at their first visit to an antenatal clinic. At 28 weeks' gestation subjects completed a 4 d diet diary (n 273) and intakes were analysed using dietary analysis software.


RESULTS
Mean (sd) energy intake was 9.0 (2.5) MJ/d and fat intakes were higher than UK recommendations for almost two-thirds of the cohort. Fish consumption was lower than in previous surveys, suggesting a move towards a more Westernised diet. Low intakes of a number of nutrients important during pregnancy for fetal development (Fe, Zn, Se and iodine) were observed. However, women who met the current recommendations for these nutrients consumed significantly more fish than those who did not (97 v. 73 g/d).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study highlights the importance of fish in the diet of pregnant Seychellois women for ensuring adequate intakes of micronutrients important in fetal development. Dietary patterns in Seychelles, however, are in a state of transition, with a move towards a Western-style diet as evidenced by higher fat and lower fish intakes. If these dietary trends continue and fish consumption declines further, micronutrient status may be compromised. These findings suggest caution in establishing public health policies that promote limitation of fish intake during pregnancy.
Bonham
Maxine P
MP
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK. mp.bonham@ulster.ac.uk
Duffy
Emeir M
EM
Robson
Paula J
PJ
Wallace
Julie M
JM
Myers
Gary J
GJ
Davidson
Philip W
PW
Clarkson
Tom W
TW
Shamlaye
Conrad F
CF
Strain
J J
JJ
Livingstone
M Barbara E
MB
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000639:trends; D015930:Diet Records; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis; D012750:Seychelles; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D018977:Micronutrients