Dietary Intake of DHA and EPA in a Group of Pregnant Women in the Moncton Area.
To compare docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and fish intake of pregnant women at 30 weeks of gestation to current recommendations and to determine the factors associated with omega-3 (ω-3) intake.



A food frequency questionnaire was completed by 54 women (54/131 = 41%) at 30 ± 0.8 weeks gestation. Supplement intake, sociodemographic characteristics, and ω-3 food habits were evaluated.



Among this high socioeconomic status (SES) group, 66.7% and 64.8% met the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 200 mg/d DHA and 300 mg/d DHA + EPA, respectively, and only 48.1% met the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) recommendation of 500 mg/d DHA + EPA. Eighteen of the 54 women took a ω-3 supplement during the third trimester. This significantly improved their total intake to meet the FAO/WHO (88.9% ≥200 mg/d DHA and 94.4% ≥300 mg/d DHA + EPA) and the Academy (77.8% ≥500 mg/d DHA + EPA) recommendations. Among nonsupplement users (36/54), 50% met the FAO/WHO recommendations and only 33.3% met the Academy recommendations.



Results suggest that the majority of high SES women did not meet ω-3 recommendations from food alone. Continued prenatal education on the importance of fish intake and on the addition of ω-3 prenatal supplement is essential.
École des sciences des aliments, de nutrition et d'études familiales, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB.|École des sciences des aliments, de nutrition et d'études familiales, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB.
Nicole Arsenault
NA
Bishop
École des sciences des aliments, de nutrition et d'études familiales, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB.|École des sciences des aliments, de nutrition et d'études familiales, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB.
Caroline P
CP
Leblanc
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005865:Gestational Age; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid