Diet quality among pregnant women in the Navajo Birth Cohort Study

• DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12961
• Publication Date: 2020-02-06T05:49:28Z
• Authors: Vanessa Y. De La ...; Joseph Hoover; Ruofei Du; Elizabeth Yakes J...; Debra MacKenzie; ; Johnnye Lewis
• Keywords: Navajo; Added sugar

Abstract Proper nutrition during pregnancy is vital to maternal health and fetal development may be challenging for Navajo Nation residents because access affordable healthy foods limited. It has been several decades since reported diet quality was examined on Nation. We present the first study estimate iodine intake use Healthy Eating Index (HEI‐2015) assess among pregnant women in Birth Cohort Study (NBCS). Based dietary data derived from food frequency questionnaires, overall estimated micronutrient remained similar last assessment 1981, with potential improvements evident folate niacin. A high proportion of (>50%) had intakes sources below Estimated Average Requirements pregnancy. The median urinary concentration NBCS (90.8 μg/L; 95% CI [80, 103.5]) less than adequate lower concentrations that participated National Health Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 2014. Overall, average using HEI‐2015 (62.4; [60.7, 64.0]) child‐bearing age NHANES. Although, diets added sugar, sugar‐sweetened beverages as primary contributors. Our provides updated insights can inform initiatives communities emphasizing education prenatal vitamins calcium, iodine, vitamin E dense foods.