title: Pregnant immigrant Nigerian women: an exploration of dietary intakes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to explore the dietary intakes of a prominent ethnic minority group of women from Sub-Saharan Africa during pregnancy, in order to identify nutritional issues of concern which may impact on pregnancy outcomes and whether different food based dietary guidelines may be required to meet their needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an observational study with quantitative assessment of nutrient intakes and an exploration of meal composition and food choices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two Nigerian pregnant women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy were recruited from antenatal clinics in the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Early pregnancy weight was measured and body mass index recorded. A 24 h dietary recall was used to assess food and nutrient intakes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-nine per cent of the study population were classified as overweight or obese. These women appear to be maintaining traditional African dietary habits and have a healthy macronutrient composition in the diet. The intake of key pregnancy micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and folate may be insufficient from diet alone to meet requirements and supplements may be inadequately utilized in a timely manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These women represent a vulnerable obstetric group that may be at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to high obesity rates and inadequate micronutrient status in early pregnancy. Provision of dietary advice should be tailored to suit their cultural dietary practices and food preferences. Pre-conception counselling on healthy lifestyle and appropriate supplement usage may be beneficial, although larger studies are required to assess the need for specific nutrition policy recommendations.
authors: UCD Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Holles St., Dublin 2, Ireland. Electronic address: karenlindsay88@gmail.com.
authors: K L
authors: KL
authors: Lindsay
authors: UCD Institute of Food and Health, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Bellfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors: E R
authors: ER
authors: Gibney
authors: UCD Institute of Food and Health, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Bellfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors: B A
authors: BA
authors: McNulty
authors: UCD Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Holles St., Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: McAuliffe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009549:Nigeria / Q000208:ethnology; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D014807:Vitamin D; D005492:Folic Acid; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Dietary intakes; Immigrant women; Pregnancy; Sub-Saharan Africa