Objective: The aim of the study is to explore the dietary intakes of a prominent ethnic minority group of women from Sub-Saharan Africa during pregnancy, in order to identify nutritional issues of concern which may impact on pregnancy outcomes and whether different food based dietary guidelines may be required to meet their needs. Study design: This is an observational study with quantitative assessment of nutrient intakes and an exploration of meal composition and food choices. Methods: Fifty-two Nigerian pregnant women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy were recruited from antenatal clinics in the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Early pregnancy weight was measured and body mass index recorded. A 24h dietary recall was used to assess food and nutrient intakes. Results: Eighty-nine per cent of the study population were classified as overweight or obese. These women appear to be maintaining traditional African dietary habits and have a healthy macronutrient composition in the diet. The intake of key pregnancy micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and folate may be insufficient from dietalone to meet requirements and supplements may be inadequately utilized in a timely manner. Conclusions: These women represent a vulnerable obstetric group that may be at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to high obesity rates and inadequate micronutrient status in early pregnancy. Provision of dietary advice should be tailored to suit their cultural dietary practices and food preferences. Pre-conception counselling on healthy lifestyle and appropriate supplement usage may be beneficial, although larger studies are required to assess the need for specific nutrition policy recommendations. © 2014 The Royal Society for Public Health.

Sub-Saharan Africa Dietary intakes immigrant women Pregnancy

Needs Assessment Nigeria vulnerable population cultural anthropology maternal care macronutrient immigrant lifestyle nutritional requirement Immigrant women Nutrition Policy Sub-Saharan Africa Nigerian minority group human Overweight Pregnant Women Vitamin D ethnic group obesity controlled study diet Calcium Micronutrients Humans maternity ward Ireland Energy Intake Black person Emigrants and Immigrants counseling female observational study eating habit pregnancy Article food preference nutrition pregnancy outcome adult diet supplementation folic acid dietary intake Choice Behavior high risk pregnancy pregnant woman food intake body mass Diet Surveys Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena maternal nutrition ethnic minority practice guideline third trimester pregnancy first trimester pregnancy second trimester pregnancy womens health Dietary intakes nutrient meal