Exploring Myths about Nutrition and Pregnancy Outcome

1
Exploring Myths about Nutrition and Pregnancy
Outcome

• Judith E. Brown, Ph.D.
• Maureen A. Murtaugh, Ph.D.
• Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota

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Applying Research to Practice

• Past information on pregnancy and nutrition
  based on clinical assumptions
• Present much more information based on
  research-based evidence

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Myth 1 Females are born with maternal
instincts that guide them to select and ingest
foods with needed nutrients during pregnancy.
Response Females are not born with such
instincts
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Evidence

• Taste and food preferences may change during
  pregnancy
• Changes do not rectify deficient diets
• New preferences during pregnancy include
• Ice
• Freezer frost
• Baking powder
• Baby powder
• Clay or dirt

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Myth 2 Pregnant women should restrict their
salt (sodium) intake Response Restriction of
salt or sodium intake during pregnancy is not
recommended in the U.S.
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Evidence

• Pregnant women have an increased need for sodium
• Hypertension disorders in pregnancy have declined
  if women consume additional salt

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Myth 3 All pregnant women should take a
multiple vitamin and mineral supplement during
pregnancy Response Not clear if prenatal
vitamin and mineral supplements benefit all
women, or if they are harmful in some ways.
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Evidence

• Prenatal supplements have not been tested for
  bioavailability, safety, or efficacy
• Women with high quality diets are most likely to
  use supplements
• Concern that overdose reactions might occur for
  women using supplements

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Myth 4 Pregnant women need to eat for
two Response This is true Caveat But this
is not two adults but actually about 1.25 persons
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Myth 5 Maternal nutritional status can be
described by knowledge of weight
status Response Weight status is only weight
status
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Evidence

• Nutritional status includes
• weight for height status
• other body size and composition assessments
• dietary and supplement intake
• clinical signs of deficient or excessive nutrient
  intake
• lab values related to nutrient status and
  relevant health status indicators.

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Conclusions

• Maternal nutritional status includes hundreds of
  factors
• Intake levels of many nutrients covary
• Well-designed studies are necessary