New research indicates significant gaps in nutritional intake during pregnancy.
While it’s commonly believed that about 10% of pregnant individuals have trouble with their nutrition, recent findings from the Stevens Institute of Technology suggest that the actual figure could be much higher.
A study highlighted in The Journal of Nutrition shows that over 90% of pregnant people may not be obtaining sufficient iron, vitamin D, or vitamin E from their diets. Moreover, more than a third might be lacking in calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Alarmingly, nearly two-thirds of pregnant individuals were found to have inadequate dietary folate, a vital nutrient that aids in preventing brain and spine birth defects in infants.
Dr. Samantha Kleinberg, the lead author of the study and a professor at the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science at Stevens, states, “Many pregnant individuals consume prenatal vitamins that could help mitigate nutrient deficiencies. However, this finding is alarming and indicates a need for closer scrutiny into whether pregnant people are receiving adequate nutrition.”
Unlike many previous studies which depended on short food diaries or casual recollections of what was eaten, the Stevens team encouraged participants to document their meals by taking pictures before and after eating over two different 14-day periods. Researchers then analyzed these images to evaluate exactly what foods were consumed and the nutritional content at each meal.
This method provides a more precise reflection of dietary habits, as Dr. Kleinberg notes that people often struggle to accurately estimate their portion sizes or remember their meals. Using photos also simplifies the process for pregnant individuals, allowing for a more extended period of data collection instead of just a few days.
According to Dr. Kleinberg, “Most surveys focus on diet for just one or two days. However, if someone feels unwell one day and eats less, or enjoys a large meal on a weekend, it can distort the results. By tracking diets over a longer timeframe and utilizing photos, we gain a clearer and more accurate understanding of actual eating patterns.”
The research, co-authored by Dr. Andrea Deierlein from New York University’s public health nutrition program, revealed considerable variations in dietary habits, both between different individuals and within an individual’s diet from day to day. This suggests that shorter investigations and broad population studies might overlook significant nutritional deficiencies. “Some individuals have excellent diets whereas others do not; averaging these results can create misleading conclusions,” Dr. Kleinberg explains. “This study indicates that a concerning number of pregnant individuals may not be obtaining necessary nutrients from their food.”
The food photo method enabled the research team to monitor the timing of meals and snacks accurately. They also examined how these eating patterns influenced overall calorie and nutrient intake. The data indicated that when pregnant individuals consumed meals later in the day, they tended to consume more calories, which could be a crucial factor as research continues to investigate links between eating habits and health issues like gestational diabetes.
The current research did not directly assess health outcomes, so it’s premature to determine if inadequate nutrition or excessive calorie intake is negatively affecting pregnant individuals or their babies. “We will delve into this in future studies to explore potential links between eating patterns and changes in glucose tolerance,” remarks Dr. Kleinberg.
The team aims to automate the analysis of the nutritional content in food photos and is working on developing large language models to efficiently ask follow-up questions for more precise data. “In this study, we often needed to contact participants to inquire about specific ingredients, like the type of meat in their sandwich or whether their coffee contained sugar,” Dr. Kleinberg elaborates. “Streamlining this inquiry process will enhance our ability to gather detailed information and provide new insights into the eating habits of pregnant individuals.”
