title: [Diet and nutrient intake of pregnant women in the capital area in Iceland].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nutrition in pregnancy may affect growth, development and health of the child in the short and long term. We aimed to assess diet and nutrient intake among pregnant women in the capital area and evaluate differences in dietary intake between women who were overweight/obese and normal weight before pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pregnant women aged 18-40 years (n=183) living in the capital area kept four day weighed food records to assess diet and nutrient intake in the 19th-24th week of pregnancy (n=98 with body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2; n=46 with BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 and n=39 with BMI ≥30 kg/m2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 20% of the women consumed the minimum recommended 25 g/day of dietary fibers. The contribution of added sugar to the total energy intake was on average 12% (SD ± 5%). About one-fourth appeared not to meet requirements for iodine, vitamin D and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). No overconsumption of vitamins and minerals from food or supplements was observed. Higher median intake of milk and dairy products (346 g/day vs. 258 g/day, p<0.05), soft drinks (200 g/day vs. 122 g/day, p<0.05), as well as chips and popcorn (13 g/day vs. 0 g/day, p<0,05) was observed among women with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 compared with women of normal weight before pregnancy (BMI <25 kg/m2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary habits and choices among women require enhanced consideration both before and in pregnancy, particularly among those who are obese. Sub-optimal consumption of iodine, vitamin D and DHA, was seen among up to a quarter of the pregnant women.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  pregnancy, nutrition, dietary intake, essential fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D, folic acid. Correspondence: Ingibjorg Gunnarsdottir, ingigun@hi.is.
authors.forename: Ingibjorg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gunnarsdottir
authors.forename: Ellen Alma
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tryggvadottir
authors.forename: Bryndis Eva
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Birgisdottir
authors.forename: Thorhallur Ingi
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Halldorsson
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Medek
authors.forename: Reynir Tomas
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Geirsson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D000068097:Maternal Health; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult